Kazakhstan’s President Names Chief Of Staff As New Premier

Kazakhstan’s president has appointed his chief of staff Olzhas Bektenov to the post of prime minister following the resignation of the previous cabinet.

The appointment comes as the president secures approval from parliament which is dominated by the ruling Amanat party.

Bektenov, 43, had served as the head of the state anti-corruption agency before becoming the head of the presidential administration in April 2023.

His predecessor, Alikhan Smailov, resigned on Monday without citing any particular reason for the move.

Report says such reshuffles, however, are routine in the oil-rich nation where political power is concentrated in the hands of the president.

REUTERS/Christopher Ojilere