ALMATY, Kazakhstan — The president of Kazakhstan says he plans to introduce direct elections for town and village mayors in an effort to foster democratic standards in the authoritarian Central Asian nation.
President Nursultan Nazarbayev said in a
wide-ranging address to the nation Friday that more than 2,500 municipal
heads would be elected starting from next year.
In his speech, Nazarbayev said Kazakhstan would seek to pursue further democratization and strengthen the power of the parliament.
Friday’s
speech was aimed at cataloging achievements in the ex-Soviet nation
over the 72-year old leader’s two decades in power and setting out
nation’s strategy until 2050.
Nazarbayev has given no indication
he plans to step aside, but has pursued initiatives aimed at burnishing a
historical legacy to endure after his rule.
