Kazakhstan's President Accepts Government's Resignation

Kazakhstan's President has accepted the government's resignation, according to Russian news outlets. The position of Prime Minister will temporarily be filled by First Deputy Prime Minister Alihan Smaiylov.

At the same time, the members of the Kazakhstan government will continue to perform their duties until the new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers is approved.

It is noteworthy that, in order to ensure public safety, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed decrees regarding the imposition of a state of emergency in Almaty and Mangystau region from January 5-19. Protests there have escalated into unrest.

The situation initially started in the country's west after a doubling of prices for liquefied gas, reaching up to 120 tenge per liter. What began in the Mangystau region quickly spread to other areas, leading to numerous rallies in the cities of Aktau, Zhanaozen, and Atyrau. Authorities were forced to shut down Republic Square in Almaty.

Activists lit bonfires and there were also reports of attacks on police officers. Several people have been arrested. Moreover, members of the government commission agreed during a meeting with protesters in Aktau that the price of liquefied gas would be reduced to 50 tenge per liter.