In August, Kazakhstan will hold elections for the unicameral parliament, the Kurultai. Deputies will be elected only by party lists. The Central Election Commission has allowed seven parties to submit their lists. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
The path of "Ak Zhol"
The party's history originates from the "Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan" association. The organization, founded in 2001, included many officials. However, two months later, a group of political council members split off and formed the Democratic Party "Ak Zhol."
In the 2004 Majilis elections, the party received 12.4 percent of the vote and won one mandate on the party list. But co-chairman Alikhan Baimenov disagreed with the results and refused the deputy mandate. Six months later, a split occurred within Ak Zhol: the co-chairs could not agree. The party held an emergency congress and abolished the institution of co-chairs. Baimenov became the sole chairman. The former co-chairs created a new party, "True Ak Zhol."
A year later, Baimenov ended his boycott and became a deputy in the Majilis. In 2011, at the party congress, Azat Peruashev, then head of the National Economic Chamber "Atameken," was elected chairman. Since then, 15 years have passed. This year, Peruashev, who became known for the word "shtrafstan," decided to step down. In the last parliamentary elections, the party won 6 mandates. At that time, the party received 10.95 percent of the vote and 12 deputy mandates. The current party chairwoman is Daniya Yespayeva, and former leader Alikhan Baimenov also ran in presidential elections.
Change of leader of "Aul"
This party turns 26 this year. During this time, the political organization incorporated the party of patriots. However, until 2023, it never managed to gather the required number of votes. It did not criticize anyone or declare a boycott. In the last parliamentary elections, the "Aul" party received 10.9 percent of the vote and immediately took second place. Thus, it entered the Majilis with 8 deputy mandates.
The party twice nominated its candidates in presidential elections: Toleutai Rakhymbekov (2019) and Zhiguli Dairabayev (2022). This year, the party's chairman also changed. Former leader Serik Yegizbaev remained his first deputy.
Not the former "Adilet"
The upcoming Kurultai elections will also feature the ӘDILET party. Although it was founded only a month ago, it has already incorporated the AMANAT party. The political organization is headed by former head of the presidential administration Aibek Dadebai. The core team includes citizens who developed the new Constitution. Interestingly, Kazakhstan previously had an "Adilet" party. The Democratic Party, chaired by lawyer Maksut Narikbayev, participated in the 2004 elections.