ASTANA, Kazakhstan — Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev outlined plans on Friday to preside over Kazakhstan for as long as his health will allow, with or without a referendum that would cancel elections for the next decade.
Nazarbayev, in his annual state-of-the-nation address, said a constitutional council would decide whether to hold the referendum to extend his rule until 2020, an initiative backed by parliament and more than half of Kazakhstan's voters.
But the 70-year-old leader also made clear that even if the referendum proposal — which has been criticized by the United States and the European Union — were to be rejected by the council, he would stand for election again in 2012.
"The main thing is that I have understood the signal from the people: Don't leave the post, continue working," Nazarbayev said to a standing ovation in parliament.
In more than two decades as president, Nazarbayev has presided over an inflow of foreign investment into Kazakhstan in excess of $150 billion. The country is the world's largest uranium miner and a major exporter of oil and industrial metals.
After more than half of Kazakhstan's 9 million registered voters signed a petition calling for the referendum, parliament voted unanimously in favor of a plan that would preclude the holding of presidential elections scheduled for 2012 and 2017.
"Whatever decision we take with you after the verdict of the constitutional council, I promise that, if my health and stamina allow me and if there is such unanimous support from the people, I will work as long as I'm allowed," Nazarbayev said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
