ASTANA. Feb 6 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed an executive order appointing Olzhas Bektenov as the new prime minister.
"To appoint Olzhas Bektenov as the prime minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, having relieved him of his previous position," the executive order published on the presidential website on Tuesday says.
Earlier on Tuesday, speaking at a plenary session of the lower chamber of the Kazakh parliament, Tokayev nominated Bektenov for prime minister.
"The government needs to make bold, resolute decisions. This task has exceptional importance and a strategic nature. We need to adapt to new realities and confront new challenges. For this reason, I accepted the resignation of Alikhan Smailov. The government ensured stability in all areas under his leadership. Now we are faced with really largescale objectives, and need to start to implement them quickly. We need new positions, a new perspective in the coming years. Therefore, the composition will change, and new people will be appointed," Tokayev said at the plenary session.
The ruling Amanat party proposed that Bektenov be nominated for prime minister.
Bektenov, 43, served as the chief of staff of the Kazakh presidential administration until today. Earlier, he headed the Anti-Corruption Agency and worked at the Justice Ministry and the Astana administration.
Tokayev accepted the resignation of the Kazakh government led by Alikhan Smailov since January 2022 on Monday.