Tokayev inaugurated as President of Kazakhstan / Article

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Independence Palace in Astana.

“Kazakhstan will continue the implementation of a balanced and constructive foreign policy aimed at protecting national interests,” the president said.

“The priority focus will be on issues of mutually beneficial cooperation and strategic partnership with neighboring countries: Russia, China, sister countries of Central Asia, partners of integration unions.”

The country “will make every effort to develop multilateral cooperation with the United States, the European Union, Asia, the Middle East, the South Caucasus and all interested countries,” added Tokayev.

Extraordinary presidential elections were held in Kazakhstan on 20 November. Tokaev announced them in September, simultaneously demanding to increase the president’s term from five to seven years, but also to establish that one person can hold the post of head of state for only one term.

Tokayev’s rivals were little-known candidates.

Tokaev received 81.31% of the vote, while his five rivals received 2-3% of the vote.

8.3 million people took part in the votes, 69.4% of all Kazakhstan’s eligible voters.

Tokaev began serving as president in March 2019, after Nursultan Nazarbayev stepped down as head of state. In April 2019, Tokaev announced a snap election and won it, receiving 70% of the vote. After the adoption of the amendments to the constitution, the terms of the presidency began to count again.

According to the election results, the current 69-year-old Tokaev can remain in the post of president until 2029.

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