Kazakhstan president strengthens power with legislative election victory

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has significantly strengthened his grip on power in Kazakhstan after the Adilet (Justice) party, a newly formed pro-government entity, achieved a sweeping victory in the recent legislative elections. The Central Election Commission reported that Adilet garnered an impressive 71.17% of the vote, securing a dominant position in the country's unicameral parliament, the Kurultái.

This electoral outcome triggers an immediate consequence: the entire government is set to resign, paving the way for Tokayev to implement changes within his executive branch. The newly established Kurultái, created following a constitutional referendum in March, will now be firmly controlled by the president's allies. With 145 seats and a five-year term, this parliamentary majority will allow Tokayev to pass legislation without needing support from other political factions.

Adilet's fusion with the historic Amanat party, formerly known as Nur Otan and established to support founding president Nursultan Nazarbayev, signifies Tokayev's definitive break from his predecessor's legacy. Nazarbayev's influence has waned over time, and this election solidifies Tokayev's independent political standing since he assumed power in 2019.

While Adilet dominated, four other parties managed to surpass the 5% threshold required for parliamentary representation: Aoul (6.26%), Respublica (5.56%), the Ak Zhol Democratic Party (5.21%), and the Social Democratic National Party (5.11%). Notably, the People's Party of Kazakhstan and the Green Party failed to secure seats.

Despite the electoral success, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) criticized the elections for their lack of political pluralism. Observers pointed out that voters faced limited alternatives, as all competing parties broadly align with the president's policies. The OSCE report highlighted that while the campaign was orderly, the Adilet party benefited from an "undue advantage," and noted the elimination of independent candidacies for the Kurultái.