Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Since the start of geopolitical tensions in the world following the conflict in Ukraine, Kazakhstan has played an increasingly important role in global affairs.
The country has been facilitating international trade, particularly between China and Europe, increased its supply of oil and other resources to Europe, promoted alternative trade and transportation routes, such as the Trans-Caspian route, and has attracted international businesses that had to leave Russia due to the war in Ukraine.
As a result, Kazakhstan has been a hive of diplomatic activity.
Last year, Kazakhstan welcomed the President of China, Xi Jinping, whose state visit to the country was his first trip abroad after the COVID-19 pandemic. Kazakhstan’s capital Astana also hosted a summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia and the VII Congress of leaders of world and traditional religions with the participation of Pope Francis.
Crucially, cooperation with Europe is also expanding.
The visits of European Council President Charles Michel to Astana last October and of Josep Borrell, EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, last November are an indication of the EU’s desire to enhance relations with Kazakhstan. Last year, the volume of trade between the Central Asian country and the EU exceeded the 2021 figure by 27.6 percent, reaching some $40 billion. These are record-high figures since Britain’s exit from the EU.
Despite the growing ties between Kazakhstan and Europe, certain circles in the EU have voiced concerns that Kazakhstan’s political system is not democratic enough to warrant close relations. They want to see evidence of increased liberalisation before giving approval to expanded cooperation.
The legislative election that took place in Kazakhstan last weekend (March 19) offered some proof that Kazakhstan is heading towards a modernised and more democratic system of governance.
The election was the most competitive in Kazakhstan’s modern history, as seven parties campaigned for seats in the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament. Preliminary results showed that six parties managed to pass the five percent threshold needed to get into parliament (previously it was seven percent), which will create a multi-party Mazhilis represented by different political parties. They include the ruling Amanat party, a pro-business Aq Zhol party, the Ayul party, which represents the interests of rural residents and villages, and the Respublica party, which was able to participate in the election thanks to simplified rules for registering political parties. In addition, the constitutional amendments and reforms passed last year following a nationwide referendum in Kazakhstan granted more powers and influence to the Mazhilis and the local government, while limiting presidential powers, which means the government will hopefully be more accountable to the people who elected the parliament.
In line with these constitutional changes, which include the establishment of a Constitutional Court and direct election of rural mayors, a proportional-majoritarian model was used in the parliamentary election for the first time since 2004, where 30 percent of Mazhilis members are elected in single-member districts. This enabled independent and self-nominated candidates to participate in the election in significant numbers, which is unprecedented for Kazakhstan.
International observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) noted in their preliminary findings after the election that “the increased competition, particularly with self-nominated candidates, is a significant development.”
However, the election was not perfect when it comes to its democratic credentials. ODIHR pointed out that some limits on the exercise of fundamental freedoms and participation remain and proposed to the government additional changes to the legal framework to further democratise the election process. Nevertheless, ODIHR observers concluded that the recent reforms in Kazakhstan, including the possibility for self-nominated candidates to stand in single-mandate districts, as well as revised registration requirements for political parties, increased the range of political options.
Overall, 793 international observers from 41 foreign countries and 12 international organizations monitored the election, with the majority noting its transparency, competitiveness and lack of violations or irregularities.
Daniel Robert Kawczynski, a Conservative member of the UK Parliament, commended Kazakhstan’s dedication to the expansion of freedom and democracy, and “the will of the Kazakh people in working together in such a short period of time after the fall of the Soviet Union to create this functioning democracy.”
It is easy to forget that just over 30 years ago Kazakhstan was part of an authoritarian system of the Soviet Union for several decades.
The feeling is that, ultimately, the parliamentary elections, as well as wider political reforms and initiatives that are being implemented in Kazakhstan, demonstrate that the country has taken a path towards greater liberalisation and democracy.
However, the journey is far from over, as illustrated by certain limitations in the recent election. The trajectory, nevertheless, is clear and Kazakhstan’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said recently that he plans to put forward several new initiatives after the election.
As the world looks to navigate the stormy waters of multiple current geopolitical and economic tensions, not least in Ukraine, closer cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU is to be welcomed. The country’s geographical position, its multi-vector foreign policy, and strong economic indicators created a good foundation for Kazakh-EU ties. The positive political changes taking place in the country will, it is hoped, only further boost these relations.
