Kazakhstan’s newly formed pro-government party wins parliamentary election

The victory of Adilet, founded earlier this year, is likely to consolidate the power of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.Kazakhstan’s pro-government Adilet party won more than 71 percent of the vote in Sunday’s parliamentary election, said the electoral commission in a result likely to consolidate the power of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.Announcing the results on Monday, the commission said that four other blocs also entered parliament: the pro-business Respublika and Ak Zhol parties, the centre-left Nationwide Social Democratic Party and the Auyl party, which represents rural voters.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Pakistan’s army chief back in Iran: Can he break peace talks deadlock?list 2 of 3Ukraine’s allies convene in Kyiv as Zelenskyy seeks air defence boostlist 3 of 3How much more are you spending on petrol since the war on Iran began?end of listAccording to the commission, 74 percent of eligible voters cast ballots to choose the new 145-member, single-chamber parliament, called the Kurultai. Approximately 12.6 million of the 20 million population were eligible to vote.Adilet was founded in the Central Asian nation earlier this year and is led by Tokayev’s top aides. Shortly after its inception, it absorbed the previous ruling party, Amanat. All four other parties entering parliament are also seen as broadly supportive of Tokayev’s administration.Sunday’s election was triggered by a new constitution adopted earlier this year, which streamlined parliament from two chambers into one.Kazakhstan’s Supreme Court ruled last month that the new constitution allows Tokayev to run for a new seven-year term.Officials say that the structural change aims to give parliament more weight in political decision-making. Previously, it was confined to a largely auxiliary role under a system that concentrated power in the presidency.A former Soviet diplomat and top United Nations official, Tokayev has led Central Asia’s largest economy since 2019, maintaining warm relations with the West, Russia and China.