SEPT. 24, 2012 – In an attempt to shore up his power base, Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev has ditched the head of his presidential staff and replaced him with the prime minster.
STORY: Mr Nazarbayev demoted his powerful chief of staff, Aslan Musin, on Friday, Sept. 21, to be head of the budget committee, a clear sign that he believed his long-term right-hand man was becoming too powerful.
In his place, Mr Nazarbayev inserted the loyal Karim Masimov, who had been prime minister for six years. Mr Masimov’s deputy, Serik Akhmetov, has been promoted as prime minster.
ENDS
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