Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, born on May 17, 1953, in Alma-Ata (now Almaty), is a prominent Kazakh politician and diplomat who has held the office of the second president of Kazakhstan since 2019. His political journey began in the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and after Kazakhstan gained independence in 1991, he transitioned to the country's foreign service. Tokayev's extensive experience includes serving as foreign minister twice, from 1994 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2007, as well as state secretary from 2002 to 2003, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s foreign policy and nuclear disarmament initiatives.

In March 2019, following the resignation of Nursultan Nazarbayev, Tokayev was appointed acting president. He quickly solidified his position by winning a snap presidential election in June of the same year as the candidate of the ruling Nur Otan party. Initially seen as an ally of Nazarbayev, Tokayev began to consolidate power by distancing himself from the former president's inner circle and implementing various economic initiatives and political reforms.

His presidency has not been without challenges. In January 2022, widespread protests over fuel prices escalated into violent unrest, leading Tokayev to declare a state of emergency and seek assistance from the CSTO. The government's response resulted in significant casualties and mass arrests, prompting Tokayev to further distance himself from Nazarbayev and enact constitutional changes, including a reduction in presidential terms.

In the same year, Tokayev was re-elected in a snap presidential election, securing eighty-one percent of the vote as an independent candidate supported by the People's Coalition after leaving the Amanat party. His administration has focused on political restructuring, economic modernization, and maintaining a balanced foreign policy with Russia, China, and the West. However, despite advocating for political modernization, his government has faced criticism for restricting opposition parties, limiting press freedoms, and suppressing protests. Additionally, leaked financial records in 2022 revealed that his family has held offshore assets since at least nineteen ninety-eight.