In Kazakhstan, the capital Nur-Sultan becomes Astana again
Known for its futuristic skyscrapers, Astana was renamed in 2019. AP - Alexander Zemlianichenko
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Only three years after being renamed with the first name of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Kazakh capital has regained its old name.
A new gesture on the part of the new head of state to erase the political heritage of his predecessor.
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The capital of Kazakhstan will no longer bear the first name of the former president.
The current head of state, Kassym-Jomart Tokaïev, signed a decree to this effect on Saturday, reports our regional correspondent,
Régis Genté
.
This is the last honor lost to Noursultan Nazarbayev, 82, who was also deprived a few months ago of the title of "Elbasy", "father of the nation", which he had granted himself in 2010.
During the bloody events of last January, which reportedly left more than 200 dead, notably due to violence
provoked by certain members of Nursultan Nazarbayev's family
, the latter had already been removed from the head of the Security Council.
Known for its futuristic skyscrapers in the middle of the steppes of northern Kazakhstan, Astana was renamed Nur-Sultan in March 2019 after the former head of state left power.
Nursultan Nazarbayev, who authoritatively ruled this former Soviet republic from independence in 1991 to 2019, had established a cult of his personality in Kazakhstan.
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Also to listen: 7 billion neighbors – Living in a “false city of the future”: Astana
Coming to power after the surprise resignation of his mentor, the new president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, 69, has gradually distanced himself from this heritage.
The return to the capital's former name is the most symbolic part of a package of
constitutional reforms
, beginning with the move to a five- to seven-year, non-renewable presidential term.
An early presidential election is expected to be held this fall.
The dismantling of the authoritarian system of Nursultan Nazarbayev continues, without yet being enough to convince that the country is embarking on a resolutely democratic path.
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Kazakhstan
Nursultan Nazarbayev