Elections, Qantar, Nazarbayev: Toqayev Gives “Egemen Qazaqstan” Big Interview

The President of Kazakhstan, Qasym-Jomart Toqayev gave an interview to “Egemen Qazaqstan”, where he addressed several questions. Orda has put together some of its highlights.

Expectations for 2024:

In my September Address, I set the task of switching to a new economic model. The strategic goal is to double GDP by 2029. An extended meeting of the Government will soon take place, at which we will sum up the results of socio-economic development and determine tactics for further action in this direction. (...) We will continue a constructive and balanced foreign policy, taking into account the national interests of the state. In 2024, our country will host a number of representative summits and forums.

Bloody January:

In my opinion, many years of unresolved socio-economic problems and general stagnation, which turned into government and society's degradation, led to the tragic January Events. This was visible, as they say, to the naked eye. (...) A group of high-ranking officials had enormous influence on the security forces and criminals, so the option of organizing a violent seizure of power was chosen. According to the investigation, preparations began approximately in mid-2021. Then the Government made an ill-considered, unlawful decision to sharply increase prices for liquefied gas, and in the Mangystau region, people incited by provocateurs went to demonstrations.

Political Prisoners:

The main signs of political persecution are censorship, special laws, and punitive agencies. Nothing like this exists in modern Kazakhstan. 

Nazarbayev’s Memoirs:

In my opinion, this book is of interest as a chronicle of the construction of Independence. As a wise man said, memoirs are important because if there is only 50 percent truth, then this is already enough to imagine the scale of historical events. Nursultan Nazarbayev is a historical figure, a witness of several eras. He began his career as a Komsomol activist under Khrushchev and retired more than sixty years later. His contribution to the formation of independent Kazakhstan is obvious; it deserves a fair historical assessment. I usually read memoirs, journalism, and political essays with interest. But as for writing my own memoirs, I’m not up for that right now. 

CSTO Peacekeepers in Bloody January:

The CSTO peacekeeping contingent did not participate in the counter-terrorism operation and did not fire a single shot. The Armenian contingent guarded the city water canal and the Aksay bakery complex, the Belarusian - the airfield in Zhetygen, the Tajik and Kyrgyz - respectively, CHPP-1 and CHPP-2 of the city of Almaty, the Russian - CHPP-3 and telecommunications facilities. There were threats of terrorist attacks at critical infrastructure, so the contingent was sent there. But most importantly, this allowed us to free up our forces to carry out a counter-terrorism operation.

During the investigation, some conspirators admitted that they did not expect to see such a level of consolidation among the people and the political will of the authorities, said Qasym-Jomart Toqayev.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs received information about the preparation of various attacks on Akorda, including the use of trucks. I was repeatedly recommended to leave the residence, even to evacuate, including abroad, but I strongly disagreed with this and in one of my television addresses I stated that under any circumstances I would remain at my workplace. For two weeks, I was at the Akorda official residence.

Transit of power, Double games, Bloody January

In the circumstances around the political situation of “transit of power,” political manipulators had formed a kind of parallel center of power. <..> Our country had a president and supreme commander-in-chief, as well as the chairman of the security council represented by the ex-president.

You probably remember the statements of a number of officials, including the former Minister of Justice, that Elbasy’s status is higher than the President's. Some officials were running to offices one by one.

Later, I directly told Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev that the political games, first of all, of his closest associates almost tore the country apart.

Rumors About Presidential Elections

The provision for a single presidential term in the Constitution is unchanged. This is unshakable, like the norms of independence, unitarity, territorial integrity and the form of government of our state. This was stated by the head of Kazakhstan Qasym-Jomart Toqayev. 

Toqayev called rumors on social networks that he plans to hold a referendum on the Constitution and take part in the presidential elections again in 2026 disinformation. 

I am convinced that arbitrary amendments to the Constitution, especially on such a fundamental issue, are no longer possible. The constitutional reform was not carried out in order to make arbitrary changes to the Basic Law, the head of state noted.

The President stressed that he had expressed the idea of a single seven-year term in closed discussions 15 years ago.

Then this proposal was not supported. After being elected president, I weighed all the pros and cons, and thought a lot about how to put this idea into practice,  the president added.

Toqayev recalled that in 2022, several important constitutional changes were implemented aimed at eliminating super-presidential powers:

At the same time, I proposed the idea of a single seven-year term. This initiative has received popular support. That says it all.

Loyalty Not Important 

It is fundamentally important for me that civil servants are not just professionals who flawlessly perform their direct duties, but take the initiative and prove by personal example the usefulness and irreversibility of change. They must have the appropriate knowledge and competencies, possess high human qualities, be collected and disciplined, the president said. 

At the same time, Toqayev noted that for him subordinates' loyalty is not as important as their commitment to the idea of building a Just Kazakhstan.

The main requirement for officials and leaders at all levels is their ability to keep abreast of public sentiment and events, listen and hear people's aspirations, respond to them in a timely and effective manner, and make the right decisions. They should follow the principle "not a person for the state, but the state for the person,"
 Toqayev said. 

He also commented on his decision to ban the leadership of the regions from festively welcoming the president during working trips. Now, on the occasion of his visits, they do not arrange lavish celebrations and do not place billboards with portraits all over the city. 

During my first trips around the country as president, akims tried to arrange lavish ceremonies, sumptuous feasts, and install billboards. This practice has been discontinued. I visit the regions with work goals and a business program. I am sure that soon we will completely move away from festive ceremonies involving the public and large expenditures of financial resources,the head of state said.

Toqayev has also responded to critics who believe that the country has not changed for the better under his presidency. The president called such theses deceitful.

I know that some unscrupulous "experts" persistently promote the thesis that President Toqayev conserved the system, nothing new and good happened, the old cadre remained in place. This is a great guile, with the ultimate goal of destabilizing and undermining statehood. Haste can lead to irreparable consequences.

2024 Presidential Elections in Russia 

In terms of elections, this year will be a landmark year for many states. In addition to Russia, election campaigns will be held in the USA, Azerbaijan, Great Britain, India, and other countries, and elections to the European Parliament will also take place. Of course, we will closely monitor these electoral processes

The presidential elections in Russia are certainly of particular interest to us due to the high level of relations between Astana and Moscow, said Qasym-Jomart Toqayev.

Kazakhstanis' Debt Burden

The debt burden of citizens causes me serious concern because this problem directly affects the social well-being of people and the stability of the financial system. One of my first decisions as president was the 2019 Decree on reducing the debt burden of citizens who find themselves in difficult life situations. Then, as a one-time occurrence, the unsecured loans of 500 thousand people were written off. Later, in 2023, the personal bankruptcy law came into force. A ban has been introduced on obtaining new loans if there is a loan delinquency, as well as a ban on accruing interest on all loans after 90 days of delinquency. It is obvious that regulation of consumer lending and the activities of collection companies needs to be tightened. 

Power Plants and Heating Networks

According to the journalist in the interview, the government is having great difficulty handling the tasks of ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of the fuel and energy complex and the country's public utilities. Qasym-Jomart Toqayev responded:

The deplorable state of the thermal power plant and housing and communal services is the result of many years of inaction. Everyone understands that the current problems in this industry did not arise overnight, but have been accumulating for years. The wear and tear of heating plants and other equipment in the regions reaches 80 percent. At the same time, investments in public utilities have not met the needs of all these years.

Nuclear Power Plants.

Clean nuclear energy is very important for Kazakhstan. This is a fundamental issue for the future of our economy. We rank first in the world in terms of the volume of natural uranium mined, and we have our own production of nuclear fuel components.

Among citizens there are those who are critical of the construction of nuclear power plants. This is understandable; many well remember the tragic consequences of tests at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. There are other complex issues that need to be taken into account, such as the cost of the project, and environmental aspects. Broad public hearings await us ahead, said Qasym-Jomart Toqayev.

Relations between Kazakhstan and China

Today, relations between Kazakhstan and China are actively developing in the spirit of friendship, good neighborliness, and eternal strategic partnership. Together with President Xi Jinping, we launched a new “golden thirty years” of cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. A clear indication of this is the two visits I made to China last year. Such personal contacts fully reflect the high level of relations between Astana and Beijing. Kazakh-Chinese relations can confidently be called exemplary. In addition, China has traditionally been one of the largest investors in the economy of Kazakhstan. Our country has already accumulated $24 billion of Chinese investment

The entry into force of a visa-free regime between Kazakhstan and China is extremely important - Kazakhstanis now have the right to freely visit this country.

Regarding China, we should not have fears brought in from outside or based on ideas of bygone days. Now China is a highly developed state, including in the field of high technology. The whole world recognizes this, said Qasym-Jomart Toqayev.

Petition and Kuandyk Bishimbayev

Regardless of whether the said petition complies with the requirements of the law, the opinion of citizens presented in it will definitely be taken into account - there can be no doubt about that.

At the same time, it is important to understand that any legislative changes will not be effective if in society there is not a complete rejection and “zero tolerance” for any forms of aggression and violence. One must admit that it looks strange when people, on the one hand, demand tougher punishment for violence, and on the other, admire the “romance” of the criminal world, elevating movie heroes who flout laws, or even real criminals, into idols.”

DISCLAIMER: This is a translated piece. It is a combination of several articles. The quotes have not been altered. Please refer to the original articles for accuracy.