Crossroads Asia | Politics | Central Asia

With Amanat Merger, Adilet Is on Track to Be Kazakhstan’s Next Ruling Party

The merger is the latest step in the consolidation – or rebranding – of power under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The names change; the system stays the same. 

Following its party congress on June 12, Kazakhstan’s ruling party, Amanat, announced that it would seek to merge with the newly registered Adilet party. Two days later, at Adilet’s party congress, the merger was confirmed.

In remarking on the merger, which was unanimously approved, Adilet party chairman Aibek Dadebay said, “This is real proof that Kazakhstani society can unite for the country’s interests.”

Dadebay was elected chairman of Adilet two days after leaving his post in the presidential administration.

The merger of Amanat and Adilet is the latest step in the consolidation – or rebranding – of power under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The names change but the system stays intact. It’s not a particularly subtle shuffling of the political cards.

Amanat holds the leading majority in the current parliament, 62 out of 98 seats in the lower house. In March 2022, Amanat rebranded from its original name, Nur Otan. A month later Tokayev resigned as its chairman in what he called a “symbolic step.”  

Nur Otan had been the party of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, and its rebranding was a clear step in the de-Nazarbayevification........

© The Diplomat