A Possible New Split in Ak Zhol

The leaders of Kazakhstan's opposition party Adilet (Justice) which merged this year with another opposition party Ak Zhol (Bright Path) expressed their wish to exit the short-lasting coalition. According to Interfax Kazakhstan, the leadership of Adilet came to this conclusion late last week during a meeting to discuss its goals following Ak Zhol's unsuccessful showing in August's parliamentary elections.

Despite the hope of the opposition prior to the elections, the Nazarbayev-led Nur Otan party became the only party to make it past the 7 percent threshold needed to get representation in the lower house of the parliament. Leaders of the All-National Social Democratic Party, Ak Zhol, and the People’s Communist Party of Kazakhstan made a joint appeal to Nazarbayev, demanding that the parliamentary elections be canceled as illegitimate.