Nazarbayev abruptly resigns; Tokayev to take over top post in Kazakhstan

Nursultan Nazarbayev, the president of Kazakhstan, said on Tuesday he was resigning as the Central Asian nation's leader after three decades in power. Nursultan Nazarbayev made the comments in a televised address. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaker of the upper house of parliament, will take over as the country's acting president for the remainder of his term in line with the constitution, Nazarbayev said.

Nazarbayev was in power from April 1990 after the country gained independence from the Soviet Union. Nazarbayev enjoys a strong working relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

His announcement came a year ahead of the country's next scheduled presidential election and amid growing frustration over falling living standards. Nursultan Nazarbayev recently sacked the Kazakhstan government in February, citing a lack of economic development despite the Central Asian nation's vast energy resources. Nazarbayev also blamed the government for allegedly failing to raise real incomes, boost jobs and improve living standards.

Nursultan Äbishuly Nazarbayev served as the 1st President of Kazakhstan. Nazarbayev was named First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Kazakh SSR in 1989 and was elected as the nation's first president following its independence from the Soviet Union. Nazarbayev holds the title "Leader of the Nation".

Nazarbayev has been accused of human rights abuses by several human rights organisations and, according to The Guardian, has suppressed dissent and presided over an authoritarian regime. No election held in Kazakhstan since independence has been judged to be free or fair by the West.

In 2010, he announced reforms to encourage a multi-party system. In April 2015, Nazarbayev was re-elected with almost 98% of the vote.

In January 2017, Nazarbayev proposed constitutional reforms that would delegate powers to the Parliament of Kazakhstan.

(With inputs from agencies.)