Kazakhstan's future after the elections: Russia, EU or China - DW
Kazakhstan is preparing for parliamentary elections that are expected to consolidate President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's power. Experts suggest the process will likely exclude genuine opposition and maintain the status quo regarding the country's geopolitical balancing act.
Why it matters
The election results will determine the political trajectory of a key Central Asian nation positioned between major global powers like Russia, China, and the EU.
Kazakhstan, where power is being continuously consolidated in the president's hands, will have to continue its tough balancing act between the EU, Russia and China following the parliamentary elections this Sunday.
https://p.dw.com/p/5JAKj People in Astana and all other cities in Kazakhstan are headed to the polls on Sunday Image: Roman Sigaev/Zoonar/picture alliance Advertisement On August 23, Kazakhstan , a former Soviet country that has recently adopted a new constitution, will hold elections to its parliament.
The legislative body will be transformed from a two-chamber to a single-chamber system. Citizens will elect 145 members of parliament via party lists. All seven registered parties have been admitted to the election, including the ruling party, Adilet (which translates to "Justice").
But the election result is the least of the campaign's intrigues. Experts DW interviewed agree that no party other than President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's Adilet stands a chance of winning.
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