The proposal by a group of deputies in Kazakhstan to return the old name Astana to the capital Nursultan was included in the draft law “Amendments and Additions to the Constitution” with the approval of the president, and the parliament adopted the law yesterday. The decree on the renaming of the capital of Kazakhstan President Tokayev was published on the official website of the presidency. In the decree, it was stated that Tokayev decided to change the capital Nursultan to Astana in accordance with the 9th article of the law “on the administrative and regional structure of Kazakhstan”, and that this decree will enter into force from the date of its official publication.
Spokesperson of the President of Kazakhstan Ruslan Celdibay announced that the proposal of a group of deputies regarding the re-establishment of the capital as Astana was included in the draft Constitution with the approval of the president. Celdibay said that President Tokayev also saw the decisive role of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev in the strengthening of Kazakhstan as a state and in the formation of the capital as a historical fact, therefore, other facilities bearing Nazarbayev’s name should be preserved.
Former President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev resigned from his post in March 2019 after ruling the country for nearly 30 years. Nazarbayev’s name was given to the capital at the suggestion of President Tokayev, who took over the presidency. (UAV)