Vote set for 19 March, along with local government elections. Independent candidates denounce harassment by the authorities. To register as a candidate, 2,500 euros are needed: the average salary in the country is around 700. A broad victory for President Tokaev's party is expected.
The hardest on the Kremlin are the Kazakhs. Turkmenistan most aligned with Moscow's positions. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan the most guarded. All are on hold, not knowing whether to realign with the old masters, or join the new divisions.
On 19-21 November, economists and entrepreneurs under 35 from around the world will meet online. More than 40 countries will be connected, with live streaming from Assisi. Some 2,000 people have registered with at least 12 link-ups to 115 countries, four hours a day plus a 24-hour marathon on the second day, and contributions from more than 20 countries.
The meeting with the president of the German Bishops Conference, in all likelihood touched upon the assembly with "deliberative power" convoked by the Germans to address issues such as the separation of power in the Church, priestly life, women's access to ministry and to offices in the Church and sexual morality.
They are economists, journalists, academics and activists. They demand the truth about the arrests after the January 2022 protests. The system favours parties directly and indirectly linked to the ruling elite. Electoral Commission controlled by the government.
Changes generated by the war on Ukraine. Kiev remains enemy number one, Belarus the country with the best relations. Kazakhstan fluctuates, increasingly viewed with suspicion by the Kremlin. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are stable. The understanding with Georgia improves.
