A high-profile corruption scandal around the parliament is gaining momentum in Kazakhstan. Local media write that a number of important bills were actually written to the tune of lobbyists of large financial and industrial groups and foreign corporations that have interests in Kazakhstan.
The Public Chamber under the Mazhilis (the lower house of parliament) appeared an effective lobbyists' tool. The Public Chamber was created in the summer of 2022, assuming it would become one of the key platforms for dialogue between society and the authorities. It was supposed to include authoritative experts, public figures, representatives of political parties and the media. But in fact, in addition to those listed, lobbyists representing the interests of big business were included in the Public Chamber. And these minority step by step took control over the work of the Public Chamber.
The most prominent figure in the camp of parliamentary lobbyists is Natalia Malyarchuk. The former head of the Kazakhstan branch of Transparency International, Malyarchuk has long had no connection with any public work. In fact, Malyarchuk works in the interests of Dariga Nazarbayeva, the eldest daughter of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, as well as Timur Turlov, a junior partner of the Kazakhstani oligarch Bulat Utemurator, who is considered Nazarbayev's "wallet".
The interests of this group extend widely - from the banking business to bookmaking companies, media, etc. As a member of the Public Chamber, Natalia Malyarchuk got the opportunity to work on amendments to bills affecting the Nazarbayevs' business areas. For example, Malyarchuk made every effort to reduce the effect of the package of bills aimed at combating gambling addiction. In particular, as the Kazakhstani media write, on her initiative, the strictest provisions banning advertising of bookmaker bets were withdrawn.
Irina Davydenko, the top manager of a number of banks belonging to the Nazarbayev family, serves as the link between Natalia Malyarchuk and Dariga Nazarbayeva. Ethnic Ukrainian Malyarchuk and native of Ukrainian Zaporozhye Davydenko easily found a common language, promoting the interests of the Nazarbayev business not just anywhere, but right in parliament.
The strengthening of the Nazarbayev clan challenges the current president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The attempt to overthrow Tokayev's government, undertaken in January 2022, according to some evidence, was inspired by the Nazarbayev clan. Over almost 30 years in power, Nazarbayev has acquired powerful financial and administrative resources that have permeated all spheres of life in Kazakhstan.
The Public Chamber under the Mazhilis (the lower house of parliament) appeared an effective lobbyists' tool. The Public Chamber was created in the summer of 2022, assuming it would become one of the key platforms for dialogue between society and the authorities. It was supposed to include authoritative experts, public figures, representatives of political parties and the media. But in fact, in addition to those listed, lobbyists representing the interests of big business were included in the Public Chamber. And these minority step by step took control over the work of the Public Chamber.
The most prominent figure in the camp of parliamentary lobbyists is Natalia Malyarchuk. The former head of the Kazakhstan branch of Transparency International, Malyarchuk has long had no connection with any public work. In fact, Malyarchuk works in the interests of Dariga Nazarbayeva, the eldest daughter of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, as well as Timur Turlov, a junior partner of the Kazakhstani oligarch Bulat Utemurator, who is considered Nazarbayev's "wallet".
The interests of this group extend widely - from the banking business to bookmaking companies, media, etc. As a member of the Public Chamber, Natalia Malyarchuk got the opportunity to work on amendments to bills affecting the Nazarbayevs' business areas. For example, Malyarchuk made every effort to reduce the effect of the package of bills aimed at combating gambling addiction. In particular, as the Kazakhstani media write, on her initiative, the strictest provisions banning advertising of bookmaker bets were withdrawn.
Irina Davydenko, the top manager of a number of banks belonging to the Nazarbayev family, serves as the link between Natalia Malyarchuk and Dariga Nazarbayeva. Ethnic Ukrainian Malyarchuk and native of Ukrainian Zaporozhye Davydenko easily found a common language, promoting the interests of the Nazarbayev business not just anywhere, but right in parliament.
The strengthening of the Nazarbayev clan challenges the current president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The attempt to overthrow Tokayev's government, undertaken in January 2022, according to some evidence, was inspired by the Nazarbayev clan. Over almost 30 years in power, Nazarbayev has acquired powerful financial and administrative resources that have permeated all spheres of life in Kazakhstan.
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