History of Nursultan Nazarbayev

Nursultan Nazarbayev is a prominent political figure who played a central role in the governance and political landscape of Kazakhstan in the post-Soviet era. His career spans significant periods of change, transformation, and controversy, shaping the trajectory of Kazakhstan as it emerged from the Soviet Union's dissolution in the early 1990s.

Born on July 6, 1940, in the Chemolgan village in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, then part of the Soviet Union, Nazarbayev came from a humble background. His early life was marked by the educational and vocational aspirations common among Soviet citizens, which paved the way for his entry into the industrial sector. He graduated from the technical school of the Karaganda Steel Mill and became an engineer-metallurgist, aligning with the Soviet emphasis on industrial and technical development.

Nazarbayev's political career began in the 1960s when he became involved with the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), steadily rising through its ranks. By the late 1970s, he was serving as a party functionary in Alma-Ata (now Almaty), the then-capital of the Kazakh SSR. His elevation within the party was marked by strategic positions that capitalized on his managerial skills, aligning with the Soviet trajectory that often saw technocrats ascend for their expertise in improving economic outputs.

The 1980s were transformative, both for the Soviet Union and Nazarbayev. He was appointed the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan in 1989, becoming the de facto leader of the republic. This period coincided with Mikhail Gorbachev's perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness) reforms, which aimed at revitalizing the Soviet economy and introducing more transparency in governance. As First Secretary, Nazarbayev navigated the challenging landscape of economic and political reforms.

In 1991, Nazarbayev was elected as the President of Kazakhstan, mere months before the Soviet Union dissolved. His presidency began with significant tasks: establishing a functional independent state, dealing with economic collapse, and managing ethnic tensions within Kazakhstan's diverse population.

Under his leadership, Kazakhstan embarked on economic reforms aimed at transitioning from a command economy to a market economy. This involved extensive privatization and attracting foreign investment, particularly in Kazakhstan's vast oil and natural gas sectors. His policies were often justified by the need for stability and gradual transition, a narrative he maintained throughout his political career.

Nazarbayev’s regime, however, came under scrutiny for authoritarian practices. Over time, he consolidated power by limiting political opposition and manipulating electoral and constitutional mechanics. For instance, constitutional amendments extended presidential terms and increased the powers of the presidency. Meanwhile, major opposition figures found themselves politically marginalized, often through legal and systemic disadvantages.

Despite accusations of human rights abuses and electoral manipulation, Nazarbayev remained a central figure in Central Asian politics, largely due to Kazakhstan's economic successes. The country's GDP grew significantly during his tenure, transforming it into a middle-income nation. This transformation was bolstered by Kazakhstan's strategic position as a bridge between Europe and Asia, exploiting geopolitical dynamics with both Western nations and neighboring Russia and China.

One of the significant achievements under Nazarbayev was the establishment of a new capital. In 1997, he moved the capital from Almaty to Astana (later renamed Nur-Sultan in his honor, though it reverted back to Astana in 2022), a decision often viewed as a strategic move to exert greater control over Kazakhstan's vast territory and prevent regional power imbalances.

Internationally, Nazarbayev pursued a multi-vector foreign policy, balancing relationships with Russia, China, the United States, and other significant global players, thus ensuring Kazakhstan's sovereignty while attracting investment and support from diverse quarters.

In 2019, after almost three decades in power, Nazarbayev resigned from the presidency, handing over the mantle to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, while retaining significant influence as the Chairman of the National Security Council and Leader of the Nation—a title that granted him and his family lifetime immunity from prosecution.

Despite his retirement from formal political office, Nazarbayev's legacy continues to shape Kazakhstan. His era is often seen as one of stability and economic growth, but also of entrenched authoritarianism and limited political freedoms. Efforts to cultivate a national identity under his leadership included the promotion of the Kazakh language and culture, alongside navigating complex identity politics in a country with a significant Russian-speaking minority.

In retrospect, Nazarbayev's political journey reflects a complex interplay between reform, stability, and authoritarian control. His leadership style and political strategies offer insights into the broader post-Soviet transitions in Central Asia, where leaders have often prioritized stability and incremental economic growth over democratic reforms. His influence, for better or worse, set the course for Kazakhstan's development well into the 21st century, reflecting his indelible impact on the nation's history.