Kazakhstan’s Tokayev appoints longtime adviser as vice president

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed longtime adviser Erlan Karin as vice president, the office ‌‌created under a new constitution adopted earlier this year.

The move on Monday makes Karin, who has served as a top ⁠⁠aide to Tokayev since taking over the presidency in 2019, first in line to succeed him as leader of the Central Asian country.

Tokayev described Karin as an experienced public servant with extensive knowledge of state governance, local media reported.

“He has worked in the system of public administration for many years. One can say that he is a person of broad outlook, with rich experience and a true patriot,” Tokayev was quoted as saying.

The 50-year-old has a background in “counter-terrorism” and has ⁠⁠positioned himself as a key figure in promoting Tokayev’s ideology, which he has dubbed “New Kazakhstan”.

Tokayev also proposed reappointing Olzhas Bektenov as prime minister, a position ⁠⁠he has held since 2024.

Both appointments were swiftly approved by parliament, which is dominated ⁠⁠by the pro-Tokayev Adilet party.

Tokayev, 73, ‌‌is eligible to run for another seven-year term as president under the new constitution, according to Kazakhstan’s supreme court. His current term ends in 2029. presidents are otherwise limited to a single term in office under Kazakh basic law.