Kazakhstan parliamentary election strengthens Tokayev

Kazakhstan held its first parliamentary election to the new unicameral Kurultai on Sunday, a vote widely expected to further consolidate President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's power. The pro-presidential Kazakhstan — Adilet party is predicted to win an overwhelming majority, with several smaller loyalist parties also entering parliament. The election follows a constitutional overhaul initiated by Tokayev in March, approved by 87% of voters, which merged the two chambers into one and reset term limits, potentially allowing Tokayev to run for another seven-year term in 2029. The vote occurs amid high inflation (10.2% in February) and tax hikes, fueling public discontent and concerns about a repeat of the January 2022 unrest that left 238 dead. The election is also marked by intensified crackdowns on press freedom, with about 10 criminal cases opened against independent journalists and bloggers, including Lukpan Akhmedyarov, who faces up to seven years in prison for 'disseminating false information.' Tokayev has balanced relations between Russia and the West since sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, while maintaining ties with China and the EU.