Nursultan Nazarbayev has been Kazakhstan's president throughout its post-Soviet history. Despite his announced resignation, the 78-year-old leader will continue to wield power from behind the scenes.
What Happened Kazakhstan's long-serving president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, resigned in a televised address on March 19. During the address, Nazarbayev said, "I see my future task as supporting the coming to power of a new generation of leaders who will continue the transformations taking place in the country." Nazarbayev also stated that the speaker of the Senate, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, will be appointed interim president on March 20 and will serve in this capacity until a new president is elected. Why It Matters Nazarbayev has been in power for nearly 30 years, serving as president throughout Kazakhstan's post-Soviet history, which makes his resignation a historic and unprecedented event. Kazakhstan is a major oil and natural gas producing and exporting state.
