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Kazakhstan renames capital Nur-Sultan | Kazakhstan renames capital Nur-Sultan |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Kazakhstan has renamed its capital Nur-Sultan, in honour of the country’s longtime leader who resigned this week. | Kazakhstan has renamed its capital Nur-Sultan, in honour of the country’s longtime leader who resigned this week. |
The order to change the city’s name from Astana was issued on Saturday by the interim president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who took power after Nursultan Nazarbayev resigned on Tuesday. | The order to change the city’s name from Astana was issued on Saturday by the interim president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who took power after Nursultan Nazarbayev resigned on Tuesday. |
Nazarbayev has led the oil-rich country since the fall of the Soviet Union, first as its communist leader, then as president after independence. | Nazarbayev has led the oil-rich country since the fall of the Soviet Union, first as its communist leader, then as president after independence. |
The 78-year-old announced his resignation in a surprise public address on national television on Tuesday evening. “I have taken a decision, which was not easy for me, to resign as president,” Nazarbayev said, noting he was the “first president of independent Kazakhstan”. | |
He said he would continue as chair of the country’s powerful security council, and the leader of the Nur Otan party, which dominates parliament. | He said he would continue as chair of the country’s powerful security council, and the leader of the Nur Otan party, which dominates parliament. |
The resignation came weeks after he dismissed the government. | The resignation came weeks after he dismissed the government. |
In 1997, Nazarbayev moved the capital from Almaty, turning a provincial town noted for severe winters into a showcase of modernist architecture, including an observation tower where visitors are invited to touch a handprint of the leader. | In 1997, Nazarbayev moved the capital from Almaty, turning a provincial town noted for severe winters into a showcase of modernist architecture, including an observation tower where visitors are invited to touch a handprint of the leader. |
Small protests took place in Almaty and other cities after the name change was proposed. | Small protests took place in Almaty and other cities after the name change was proposed. |
Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan |
South and Central Asia | South and Central Asia |
news | news |
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