Kazakhstan’s Lower House Approves Measure to Hand President Nursultan Nazarbayev More Powers

Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament has approved a bill that would hand President Nursultan Nazarbayev more power, a vote that suggests the country is attempting to avoid the same crisis that has gripped neighboring Kyrgyzstan.

As part of the proposed bill Nazarbayev would be titled as “leader of the nation” and would receive immunity from prosecution. The issue of immunity is seen as a major issue in the Kyrgyzstan crisis as the interim government that took control following an uprising is now trying to prosecute ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

While Bakiyev has fled to Belarus the interim administration is still attempting to bring him to trial for his handling of the uprising that left at least 80 people dead.

Deputies in Kazakhstan do not want to see the same events unfold and as the new legislation suggests Nazarbayev could not face prosecution for acts that have been carried out while in office. He has held the office of the presidency since 1989 and faces no term limits.

The bill would also protect property owned by Nazarbayev and make it illegal to deface images of the president.

With the approval of the lower house the bill now has to be voted on by the upper house of parliament and then signed by the president before it becomes law.

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