Kazakhs are preparing to vote in parliamentary elections on Sunday that will likely bring new faces to the legislature and potentially usher in a period of greater political stability.
The elections come after months of political upheaval, as the government cracked down on opposition activists and forced out long-time leader Nursultan Nazarbayev. Under the new interim government, led by Prime Minister Askar Mamin, the elections are seen as a chance to create a more representative legislature.
The elections are expected to see a significant number of new faces in the legislature, including many younger candidates and opposition figures. The ruling Nur Otan party, which has dominated the legislature for the past two decades, is also expected to lose some seats.
It is unclear how the new legislature will affect the country’s political landscape, but some analysts are hopeful that it could lead to more open policy debates and greater accountability from the government.