Kazakhstan’s ruling Nur Otan party renamed Amanat

NUR SULTAN, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s ruling party Nur Otan was renamed Amanat during an extraordinary congress Tuesday.

The 22nd Extraordinary Congress of the party convened online under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and a decision was made to change the name of the party, which was founded by Kazakhstan’s Founding President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

"This word (Amanat) is a notion that has deep meaning in the history and culture of our people. It represents the unfading ideals of independence, values of strong statehood and universal national unity," said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

He also said that in his upcoming address March 16 to the nation he will announce a new political reform package.

"Now competition between political parties increases. In this context, we must preserve the role of our party as the main political force," he added.

Tokayev, who took over the chairmanship of the party from former Nazarbayev after protests in January, announced the party would be restructured.