The Bektenov Government (; ) is the 19th and current composition of the government of Kazakhstan under the leadership of Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov. The government was formed on 6 February 2024, after Bektenov was appointed as the PM by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and received parliamentary approval, succeeding the previous cabinet led by Älihan Smaiylov. The initial composition of the cabinet featured four newly appointed ministers.
Formation.
In late January 2024, news media outlets reported information from an insider source indicating that the government led by Prime Minister Älihan Smaiylov was on the brink of resignation. The likelihood of resignation was further corroborated by Senate Chairman Mäulen Äşimbaev during a press briefing on 1 February 2024, where he indicated that assessments of certain ministers' activities would be addressed at an expanded government meeting for 7 February. This development sparked speculation among pundits ahead of the expanded government meeting, while insiders hinted at possible ministerial resignations. Potential candidates speculated to succeed Smaiylov as PM included presidential advisor Kanat Bozumbayev, Zhenis Kassymbek and Erbolat Dosaev, the akims of Astana and Almaty, respectively, along with deputy prime ministers Roman Sklyar, Murat Nurtleu, Serik Jumanğarin, and Erulan Jamaubaev, as well as the Mäjilis chairman, Erlan Qoşanov.
On 5 February 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issued a decree dismissing Smaiylov's government and appointing Roman Sklyar as the acting prime minister.
On 6 February 2024, the ruling Amanat party chairman, Erlan Qoşanov, endorsed Oljas Bektenov for the position of prime minister. President Tokayev then nominated Bektenov for the post, receiving support from the Amanat, Auyl, Respublica, and Aq Jol parties during the plenary session of the lower house Mäjilis. However, the People's Party of Kazakhstan and Nationwide Social Democratic Party abstained from voting on Bektenov's candidacy, expressing concerns about his ability to fulfill tasks set by Tokayev and his inexperienced track record in implementing economic projects.
Parliamentary vote.
Bektenov was confirmed as prime minister by the Mäjilis deputies on 6 February 2024, and subsequently appointed by Tokayev through a presidential decree.
Criticism.
Just as the Bektenov Government was formed, Kazakh political scientist Dosym Satpaev remarked that not much is to be expected from it, stating that most of the Second Smaiylov Government is still intact anyway, and adding that the Government of Kazakhstan is, as always, as divided as it is in many other authoritarian states, and therefore does not affect the political process in the country much.
Composition.
The newly-formed government included mostly former ministers from previous cabinet, with only 4 out of 26 (15.3%) new faces: Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov, National Economy Minister Nurlan Baibazarov, Healthcare Minister Akmaral Alnazarova, Emergency Situation Minister Şyñğys Ärinov, and Finance Minister Mädi Täkiev.
Because of poor regional management and the sudden melting of snow, a flood broke out in 10 different regions of Kazakhstan. Because of this, through the presidential decree of Tokayev, Kanat Bozumbayev was appointed as the 7th Deputy PM to Bektenov. During Bektenov's introduction of Bozumbayev to the rest of the cabinet, it was announced that Bozumbayev went to visit the Karaganda Region along the Emergency Situations Minister Şyñğys Ärinov to stabilize the situation. In December 2024, the number of Deputy PMs to Bektenov reduced to 6, as Nurlan Baibazarov resigned and was replaced by colleague Serik Jumanğarin.
References.
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