New Kazakhstan, old methods: Civil society laments stalled political reforms

FILE - Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivers a speech during Heads of State of Central Asia Summit session in Astana, Aug. 9, 2024. (Kazakhstan's presidential press service/Handout via AFP) A secondary school, which was built in 2013 with finances provided by former Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbaye, is seen in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstanv, Sept. 15, 2024. Nazarbayev sought to increase Kazakhstan's influence by financing cultural and educational projects. FILE - Protesters wave flags during thousands-strong march in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, after protests that began over fuel prices threatened to spiral out of control, Jan. 4, 2022. FILE - Kazakhstan's interim president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, right, and outgoing Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev shake hands after an inauguration ceremony in Astana, Kazakhstan, March 20, 2019.

Widespread hopes for a more pluralistic and democratic Kazakhstan are fading some 30 months after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev unveiled his program for dismantling the authoritarian system associated with his predecessor and mentor, Nursultan Nazarbayev.