Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Tuesday resigned from his position after nearly 30 years in power.
Nazarbayev, 78, who has led Kazakhstan since its independence from the Soviet Union, announced his resignation in a pre-recorded television address.
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“I have decided to end my duties as President,” Nazarbayev said in the surprise address and added that the decision had “not been simple”.
Nazarbayev said the Speaker of the upper house of Parliament, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, would take over as acting president for the remainder of his term.
“After leaving the presidency, N.Nazarbayev will retain three important posts: the Chairman of the Security Council; Head of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan; Member of the Constitutional Council. In addition, he remains as the Chairman of the ruling “Nur Otan” party,” Kazakh Ambassador to India, Bulat Sarsenbayev, said.
The announcement came weeks after Nazarbayev sacked the Kazakhstan government, citing failures to improve the economy.
“In accordance with the Constitution of Kazakhstan, the powers of the president for the remaining term are transferred to the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan (upper house), Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev. The handing over of presidential powers will take place on 20 March at a joint meeting of the Chambers of the Parliament of Kazakhstan,” Sarsenbayev said.
“At the same time, we emphasize that with the departure of President N.Nazarbayev, the foreign policy of Astana remains unchanged. Kazakhstan firmly committed to its international obligations,” he added.
“The voluntary resignation of Nursultan Nazarbayev from the presidency is a historical moment for Kazakhstan. Over the years of his presidency much has been achieved: the economy of Kazakhstan grew by 15 times, and household incomes by 9,” Kazakh Ambassador to India said.