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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. 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”.
“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.
KazakhstanKazakhstan
South and Central AsiaSouth and Central Asia
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