Kazakhstan opposition wants to test population's solidarity

Zarina Kozibayeva, Deutsche Welle

Leader of the Kazakh opposition Akezhan Kazhegeldin who lives abroad proposed to join efforts amid escalation of internal political struggle. But are many of the Kazakh people ready to listen to his voice?

Former MP Tatiana Kwiatkowska, speaking with accusations against the head of Kazatomprom Mukhtar Dzhakishev and disgraced businessman Mukhtar Ablyazov, sent a message to a recent series of exchanges, local observers say.

Under these circumstances, renowned leader of the Kazakh opposition Akezhan Kazhegeldin who has lived abroad for a long time proposed to join efforts amid crisis. But are many of the Kazakh people ready to listen to his voice?

Officials run away to abroad "for treatment"

Following public accusations against him head of "Kazatomprom" Mukhtar Dzhakishev did not stay at home and went for treatment in Europe. Looking back on high-profile cases involving senior officials, independent analysts point to the very strange coincidence. For example, Ruslan Mestoyev, Director of Public Procurement national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, who acted as major witness in the case of the ex-head of the company Zhaksybeka Kulekeeva also unexpectedly went abroad for treatment. Some time ago Kazakh people who went through the case of President Nazarbayev's former son-in-law Rahat Aliyev visited European hospitals.

Oppositionist Tolen Tohtasynov, one of the defendants in the case of harboring criminals, is still undergoing treatment in Mongolia. Former head of "BTA Bank" Mukhtar Ablyazov does not plan to return home.

Almost every week, news sources report about the arrest of an official who was caught up stealing. It is clear that getting into the network of a truly major figure is unlikely, but equally significant person from the former ministers, corporate executives and their assistants are in constant suspense, waiting for a deal. Political scientists point out that as a result, even players loyal to the president fear of becoming cannon fodder in someone's big game.

One balanced system of management gives vertical crack

Akezhan Kazhegeldin, who is in exile, believes that all these point to a crisis in authority. This issue was focus of the last letter of the disgraced politician and one of the leaders of Kazakh opposition addressed to counterparts in Kazakhstan. Kazhegeldin is sure that it is high time to unite the efforts of all democratic forces "regardless of ambition and injured vanity." In this context, a politician urged to hold "a nationwide campaign of solidarity on May 1."

However, attitudes to Kazhegeldin's call are ambiguous in opposition circles. Some believe that Kazhegeldin, who has been in abroad for more than a decade, does not have a current situation where every citizen, at least, facing persecution and even the prospect of being behind bars.

The crisis of confidence not only to power but the opposition

Much of the population of Kazakhstan is experiencing a crisis of confidence not only to power, but also to the opposition. Sociologists point out that the "popularity" of politicians like Akezhan Kazhegeldin, Rahat Aliyev, or a businessman Mukhtar Ablyazov, in general, is a negative connotation. "Chubais effect" works against Kazhegeldin when his name was linked with the most difficult and controversial time of "shock therapy", as well as the results of the so-called "catching". The negative perception of those who are abroad, most clearly reflected in the comments on websites. For example, users write: "Despite a ring of truth in their statements, but that does not lift embezzler stamp from them. The thief must sit in jail rather than abroad."

In addition, rehabilitation of ousted oppositionist who is awaited by Akezhan Kazhegeldin's associates does not cause positive feedback by everybody because then the question arises about the other political emigrants.

Only former members of the Republican People's Party of Kazakhstan, once headed by Akezhan Kazhegeldin express clear position on May 1 action. Prior to May 1, one needs to wait quite a bit to make sure how ordinary citizens of Kazakhstan will respond to the call by opposition politician to take to the streets and show their citizen position.