Kazakh president accepts government’s resignation

"Smailov Alikhan Askhanovich is to be vested with interim duties of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan,"

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday accepted the resignation of the country’s government, which will continue performing its duties until a new cabinet of ministers is formed, Qazet.az informs, citing TASS.

A presidential decree, published on Wednesday, says that "in accordance with Article 70 of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I hereby resolve to accept the resignation of the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan."

"Smailov Alikhan Askhanovich is to be vested with interim duties of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan," it says.

In accordance with the document, government members will continue their duties until a new cabinet of ministers is formed.

At present, Smailov holds the post of first deputy premier. The previous government was approved last January, following elections to the lower chamber of the country’s parliament. Askar Mamin was reappointed as prime minister then. He held the post since February 2019.