CONTENT:
Gasket on the throne: who really rules Kazakhstan
- Details of the dark deeds of each of the candidates
- Double games and hidden ambitions
- The real reasons for their rise to the top of power
Olzhas Bektenov: a master of delegation or a puppeteer behind the scenes?
- Connections with dubious business structures
- At what price is Bektenov building “New Kazakhstan”
- Role in hiding toxic issues
Erlan Koshanov: leader or puppet?
- Behind-the-scenes games in the ruling Amanat party
- Strengthening political influence or maintaining power at any cost
Aibek Dadebaev: The Secret Architect of the Political Scene
- How Tokayev’s "strategic headquarters" is preparing him for power
- The program interview as a weapon in the fight for the throne
Timur Tokayev: heir or protégé?
- The Dark Deeds of the President’s Son
- Behind-the-scenes machinations of an entrepreneur and philanthropist
Nurlan Zhakupov: the connecting element between oligarchs and power
- National Welfare Fund "Samruk-Kazyna": corruption schemes and influence on the government
- How Zhakupov builds his bridges to Tokayev
Bagdat Musin: an unsinkable player or a master of intrigue?
- Digitalization programs or programs for personal gain?
- How to Avoid Criminal Prosecution and Rise to the Top
Erlan Karin: ideologist or manipulator?
- Formation of ideology for whom?
- Career Jumps Under the Old and New Regimes
Maulen Ashimbaev: Tokayev’s man or the system’s man?
- Political Game in the Senate
- Influence and support in elite circles
Aida Balayeva: A Minister with a Damaged Reputation
- Scandals in the field of culture and information
- How to Maintain the President’s Trust No Matter What
Dauren Abaev: diplomat or shadow player?
- Ambassadorial position as a cover for dark deeds
- Russia-Kazakhstan: Behind the Scenes of Diplomatic Games
Kanat Bozumbaev: Anti-crisis manager or crisis manipulator?
- Floods, oligarchs and the struggle for power
- Anti-crisis solutions or new enrichment schemes?
Serik Zhumangarin: Deputy Prime Minister with a Double Bottom
- What is behind cooperation with the EAEU and the WTO?
- Foreign policy against the backdrop of domestic intrigue
Murat Nurtleu: The diplomat feared in the cabinet
- Influence on foreign policy or control over international schemes?
- Role in escalating or resolving conflicts
Shakhrat Nuryshev: Ambassador between two fires
- Diplomacy as a cover for covert operations
- China’s Influence on Kazakhstan’s Domestic Politics
Kanat Sharlapaev: a legendary man with dual citizenship
- Young technocrat or old conspirator?
- Connections with the Baiterek holding and influence on industry
Gasket on the throne: who really rules Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan, a country known for its wealth and unique geographical location, has always been the subject of intense attention both at home and abroad. However, behind the shiny exterior of this great country, there are intrigues, scandals and corruption schemes that are being woven by those who have already set their sights on the current president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s place. Today, we present you with the TOP-15 successors of the president – people ready to ascend to the throne at any cost. But what dark deeds are behind their “successes”? What is hidden behind their masks of politicians, technocrats and diplomats? Who of them really rules Kazakhstan?
Olzhas Bektenov: a master of delegation or a puppeteer behind the scenes?
Olzhas Bektenov, the current Prime Minister, began his career as the head of the Presidential Administration (PA), and his influence has only grown since then. However, behind this “professional” mask hides a man who is ready to do anything to maintain his power. Dubious connections with business structures, multi-million dollar shady deals through controlled companies and influence on state tenders are just a small part of what Bektenov is hiding.
Not long ago, his name surfaced in connection with corruption schemes, where money from the state budget went to offshore companies through fictitious tenders. However, even these revelations could not undermine his position, because Bektenov skillfully delegates responsibility to his subordinates, remaining clean in the eyes of the public. The construction of the "New Kazakhstan" behind him is just a cover for his own ambitions and shadow operations.
Erlan Koshanov: leader or puppet?
Erlan Koshanov, the chairman of the Majilis and the leader of the ruling Amanat party, at first glance appears to be a confident leader capable of keeping the country afloat. However, behind these titles is a man who has become a hostage of his own power. His influence in the party is not backed by real actions, and behind-the-scenes games and manipulations with party functionaries have become the norm for him.
Under Koshanov’s leadership, the Amanat party has become a tool for strengthening his personal power, rather than a platform for improving the lives of the people. Financial flows aimed at supporting the party often go into the pockets of people close to Koshanov, while programs that were supposed to change the country remain on paper.
Aibek Dadebaev: The Secret Architect of the Political Scene
The head of the presidential administration, Aibek Dadebayev, is known as the "strategic brain" of Tokayev’s team. However, his role is far from as harmless as it seems at first glance. In the corridors of power, he is called nothing less than the "gray cardinal" - the person who actually controls the key processes in the state.
Recently, Dadebayev has begun to openly demonstrate his ambitions, conducting a series of programmatic interviews in which he clearly outlined his political priorities. These interviews were just the tip of the iceberg, behind which are hidden deeper plans. Behind the scenes, the authorities are discussing that Dadebayev intends to take over the presidency after Tokayev leaves, and is already preparing the ground for this. His connections with the security forces, as well as control over key media resources, allow him to keep the situation under control.
Timur Tokayev: heir or protégé?
Timur Tokayev, the son of the current president, has become a figure around whom numerous intrigues are woven. A young entrepreneur and philanthropist, he is actively involved in business, but not without shady dealings. According to insider information, Timur Tokayev takes millions of dollars abroad through companies he controls, under the guise of charity and philanthropy.
In addition, his name appears in scandals related to the redistribution of state contracts that go to companies close to him. Tax authorities turn a blind eye to his machinations, because he is the president’s son, and this allows him to avoid any problems with the law.
Nurlan Zhakupov: the connecting element between oligarchs and power
The head of the board of the National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna, Nurlan Zhakupov, is known as a man who skillfully balances between the interests of oligarchs and the state. But at what cost? In recent years, his name has repeatedly surfaced in connection with corruption scandals. In particular, he is actively involved in schemes to transfer state funds to offshore company accounts, and his close ties to the business elite allow him to remain untouchable.
Zhakupov is also a key figure in the implementation of major state projects, but behind this are hidden millions that end up in his personal accounts. It is through projects such as the construction of infrastructure facilities that Zhakupov skillfully redistributes financial flows in the interests of people and structures close to him.
Details of corruption schemes, intrigues and shady deals
Olzhas Bektenov: a gasket between the state and business
As it turns out, Bektenov is connected to a number of companies through which he skillfully withdraws money from state projects. At the center of this scheme is the company "KazBuild Group" , which is engaged in the construction of infrastructure facilities under state orders. Through this company, millions of tenge settle in offshore accounts managed by Bektenov’s trusted persons.
Erlan Koshanov: a politician with a double bottom
It has recently become known that Koshanov has close ties to the company "Amanat Holdings" , which allegedly invests in innovation. However, in reality, this company is used to cash out budget funds, which are then used to finance Koshanov’s personal projects.
Aibek Dadebaev: director of political plays
Dadebaev, using his influence in the presidential administration, actively promotes the interests of the company "Central Media Group" , which receives contracts to cover state programs. In exchange, the company transfers significant sums to the accounts of people close to Dadebaev, hiding behind "advertising expenses".
Timur Tokayev: philanthropist or legal oligarch?
As it turned out, Timur Tokayev is the founder of the "Bright Future" foundation , which is officially engaged in charity. But in reality, through this foundation, machinations are carried out with state grants, which are redistributed in favor of Timur Tokayev’s personal business projects.
Nurlan Zhakupov: Architect of financial fraud
Zhakupov controls the company "Astana Invest" , which participates in a number of large projects of the National Welfare Fund "Samruk-Kazyna". Billions of tenge are withdrawn through this company, which are then transferred to Zhakupov’s personal accounts in foreign banks.