President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev accepted the resignation of the government, the press service of the head of state reported. The reasons for this decision are not reported.

“In accordance with Article 70 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I decree: 1. Accept the resignation of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the decree published on the Akorda website on February 5 says.

Members of the government continue their work in an acting capacity. Roman Sklyar, who served as first deputy prime minister, became acting prime minister. The prime minister was Alikhan Smailov.

The online publication Tengrinews notes that Article 70 regulates several options for the resignation of the government. The 7th paragraph of the article states that the president has the right, on his own initiative, to decide to terminate the powers of the government and dismiss any of its members. The dismissal of the prime minister means the termination of the powers of the entire government.

According to the current legislation, the candidacy of the new prime minister will be proposed to the head of state by the party that won the last elections to the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Amanat faction, as the party with the largest number of seats in parliament, must hold a meeting at which they will choose a candidate for the post of head of government. The head of state submits the candidacy of the prime minister for consideration by the Mazhilis of Parliament. If the Mazhilis agrees, the president will appoint a new prime minister. Later, ministerial nominations will be submitted to the relevant committees of the Mazhilis for approval.

The same procedure took place in March 2023, when the government resigned after the elections to the Mazhilis. Then the Amanat party proposed Alikhan Smailov for the post of head of government.

On Wednesday, February 7, an extended meeting of the Government of Kazakhstan will be held with the participation of the President. At the meeting, the results of the socio-economic development of the republic will be summed up and tactics for further actions in this direction will be determined.

According to the Kazinform agency, Smailov’s cabinet has repeatedly faced criticism after large-scale heating problems in 2022, four major mine accidents and fires that killed dozens of people.

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