# Bektenov Government

The Bektenov Government (Kazakh: Бектенов Үкіметі, romanized: Bektenov Ükimeti; Russian: Правительство Бектенова) is the 19th and current composition of the government of Kazakhstan under the leadership of Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov. The government was formed on 6 February 2024, after Bektenov was appointed as the PM by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and received parliamentary approval, succeeding the previous cabinet led by Älihan Smaiylov. The initial composition of the cabinet featured four newly appointed ministers.

## Formation

In late January 2024, news media outlets reported information from an insider source indicating that the government led by Prime Minister Älihan Smaiylov was on the brink of resignation. The likelihood of resignation was further corroborated by Senate Chairman Mäulen Äşimbaev during a press briefing on 1 February 2024, where he indicated that assessments of certain ministers' activities would be addressed at an expanded government meeting for 7 February. This development sparked speculation among pundits ahead of the expanded government meeting, while insiders hinted at possible ministerial resignations. Potential candidates speculated to succeed Smaiylov as PM included presidential advisor Kanat Bozumbayev, Zhenis Kassymbek and Erbolat Dosaev, the akims of Astana and Almaty, respectively, along with deputy prime ministers Roman Sklyar, Murat Nurtleu, Serik Jumanğarin, and Erulan Jamaubaev, as well as the Mäjilis chairman, Erlan Qoşanov.
On 5 February 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issued a decree dismissing Smaiylov's government and appointing Roman Sklyar as the acting prime minister.
On 6 February 2024, the ruling Amanat party chairman, Erlan Qoşanov, endorsed Oljas Bektenov for the position of prime minister. President Tokayev then nominated Bektenov for the post, receiving support from the Amanat, Auyl, Respublica, and Aq Jol parties during the plenary session of the lower house Mäjilis. However, the People's Party of Kazakhstan and Nationwide Social Democratic Party abstained from voting on Bektenov's candidacy, expressing concerns about his ability to fulfill tasks set by Tokayev and his inexperienced track record in implementing economic projects.

### Parliamentary vote

Bektenov was confirmed as prime minister by the Mäjilis deputies on 6 February 2024, and subsequently appointed by Tokayev through a presidential decree.
Mäjilis confirmation, 6 February 2024 :
| For | For | Against | Against | Abstained | Abstained | Did not vote | Did not vote | Vacant | Vacant |
| 69 | 70.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 7 | 7.1% | 21 | 21.4% | 1 | 1.0% |
| Source: Parlam.kz ||||||||||

## Criticism

Just as the Bektenov Government was formed, Kazakh political scientist Dosym Satpaev remarked that not much is to be expected from it, stating that most of the Second Smaiylov Government is still intact anyway, and adding that the Government of Kazakhstan is, as always, as divided as it is in many other authoritarian states, and therefore does not affect the political process in the country much.

## Composition

The newly-formed government included mostly former ministers from previous cabinet, with only 4 out of 26 (15.3%) new faces: Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov, National Economy Minister Nurlan Baibazarov, Healthcare Minister Akmaral Alnazarova, Emergency Situation Minister Şyñğys Ärinov, and Finance Minister Mädi Täkiev.
Because of poor regional management and the sudden melting of snow, a flood broke out in 10 different regions of Kazakhstan. Because of this, through the presidential decree of Tokayev, Kanat Bozumbayev was appointed as the 7th Deputy PM to Bektenov. During Bektenov's introduction of Bozumbayev to the rest of the cabinet, it was announced that Bozumbayev went to visit the Karaganda Region along the Emergency Situations Minister Şyñğys Ärinov to stabilize the situation. In December 2024, the number of Deputy PMs to Bektenov reduced to 6, as Nurlan Baibazarov resigned and was replaced by colleague Serik Jumanğarin.
| Portfolio | Image | Holder | Term of office | Term of office |
| Portfolio | Image | Holder | Start | End |
| Head of government |||||
| Prime Minister Премьер-Министр | | Oljas Bektenov | 6 February 2024 | Present |
| Deputy Prime Ministers |||||
| First Deputy Prime Minister Премьер-министрдің бірінші орынбасары (Kazakh) Первый заместитель Премьер-Министра (Russian) | | Roman Sklyar | 11 January 2022 | Present |
| Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of Staff of the Government Премьер-Министрдің орынбасары – Үкімет Аппаратының басшысы (Kazakh) Заместитель Премьер-Министра – Руководитель Аппарата Правительства (Russian) | | Galymjan Koishibaev | 11 January 2022 | Present |
| Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs Премьер-Министрдің орынбасары – сыртқы істер министрі (Kazakh) Заместитель Премьер-Министра – министр иностранных дел (Russian) | | Murat Nurtleu | 3 April 2023 | Present |
| Deputy Prime Minister Премьер-Министрдің орынбасары (Kazakh) Заместитель Премьер-Министра (Russian) | | Tamara Düisenova | 11 April 2022 | Present |
| Deputy Prime Minister Премьер-Министрдің орынбасары (Kazakh) Заместитель Премьер-Министра (Russian) | | Serik Jumanğarin | 2 September 2023 | 21 December 2024 |
| Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Премьер-Министрдің орынбасары – ұлттық экономика министрі (Kazakh) Заместитель Премьер-Министра – министр национальной экономики (Russian) | | Nurlan Baibazarov | 6 February 2024 | 21 December 2024 |
| Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Премьер-Министрдің орынбасары – ұлттық экономика министрі (Kazakh) Заместитель Премьер-Министра – министр национальной экономики (Russian) | | Serik Jumanğarin | 21 December 2024 | Present |
| Deputy Prime Minister Премьер-Министрдің орынбасары (Kazakh) Заместитель Премьер-Министра (Russian) | | Kanat Bozumbayev | 31 March 2024 | Present |
| Ministries |
| Minister of Defence Қорғаныс министрі (Kazakh) Министр обороны (Russian) | | Ruslan Jaqsylyqov | 19 January 2022 | Present |
| Minister of Internal Affairs Ішкі істер министрі (Kazakh) Министр внутренних дел (Russian) | | Erjan Sädenov | 2 September 2023 | Present |
| Minister of Agriculture Ауыл шаруашылығы министрі (Kazakh) Министр сельского хозяйства (Russian) | | Aidarbek Saparov | 4 September 2023 | Present |
| Minister of Justice Әділет министрі (Kazakh) Министр юстиции (Russian) | | Azamat Esqaraev | 30 December 2022 | Present |
| Minister of Education Оқу-ағарту министрі (Kazakh) Министр просвещения (Russian) | | Ğani Beisembaev | 4 January 2023 | Present |
| Minister of Science and Higher Education Ғылым және жоғары білім министрі (Kazakh) Министр науки и высшего образования (Russian) | | Saiasat Nurbek | 11 June 2022 | Present |
| Minister of Healthcare Денсаулық сақтау министрі (Kazakh) Министр здравоохранения (Russian) | | Akmaral Alnazarova | 6 February 2024 | Present |
| Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population Еңбек және халықты әлеуметтік қорғау министрі (Kazakh) Министр труда и социальной защиты населения (Russian) | | Svetlana Jaqypova | 4 September 2023 | Present |
| Minister of Transport Көлік министрі (Kazakh) Министр транспорта (Russian) | | Marat Qarabaev | 4 September 2023 | Present |
| Minister of Finance Қаржы министрі (Kazakh) Министр финансов (Russian) | | Mädi Täkiev | 6 February 2024 | Present |
| Minister of Culture and Information Мәдениет және ақпарат министрі (Kazakh) Министр культуры и информации (Russian) | | Aida Balaeva | 4 September 2023 | Present |
| Minister of Industry and Construction Өнеркәсіп және құрылыс министрі (Kazakh) Министр промышленности и инфраструктурного развития (Russian) | | Qanat Şarlapaev | 4 September 2023 | Present |
| Minister of Trade and Integration Сауда және интеграция министрі (Kazakh) Министр торговли и интеграции (Russian) | | Arman Şaqqaliev | 4 September 2023 | Present |
| Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation Су ресурстары және ирригация министрі (Kazakh) Министр водных ресурсов и ирригации (Russian) | | Nurjan Nurjıgıtov | 4 September 2023 | Present |
| Minister of Emergency Situations Төтенше жағдайлар министрі (Kazakh) Министр по чрезвычайным ситуациям (Russian) | | Şyñğys Ärinov | 6 February 2024 | Present |
| Minister of Tourism and Sports Туризм және спорт министрі (Kazakh) Министр туризма и спорта (Russian) | | Ermek Marjyqpaev | 4 September 2023 | 31 August 2024 |
| Minister of Tourism and Sports Туризм және спорт министрі (Kazakh) Министр туризма и спорта (Russian) | | Erbol Myrzabosynov | 2 September 2024 | Present |
| Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Цифрлық даму, инновациялар және аэроғарыш өнеркәсібі министрі (Kazakh) Министр цифрового развития, инноваций и аэрокосмической промышленности (Russian) | | Bağdat Musin | 11 January 2022 | 30 April 2024 |
| Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Цифрлық даму, инновациялар және аэроғарыш өнеркәсібі министрі (Kazakh) Министр цифрового развития, инноваций и аэрокосмической промышленности (Russian) | | Jaslan Mädiev | 6 May 2024 | Present |
| Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources Экология және табиғи ресурстар министрі (Kazakh) Министр экологии и природных ресурсов (Russian) | | Erlan Nysanbaev | 4 September 2023 | Present |
| Minister of Energy Энергетика министрі (Kazakh) Министр энергетики (Russian) | | Almasadam Sätqaliev | 4 April 2023 | Present |