Perestroika in Kazakhstan

Several candidates were considered for the position of First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, and on June 22, 1989, Nursultan Nazarbayev was chosen. Within the ranks of the CPSU’s leadership, there were opponents to Nazarbayev’s appointment who argued that “Nazarbayev is difficult” as he could defy orders and ultimately turn uncontrollable. Gorbachev countered with a single remark: “Better one difficult Nazarbayev than a difficult Kazakhstan.” Ultimately, Nazarbayev’s candidacy was approved in a closed, secret ballot with 154 out of 158 Central Committee members in favor.^[5]

During the plenary following his election, Nazarbayev shared his views on the policies of perestroika:

I fully understand the responsibility placed on the Communist Party of Kazakhstan and myself at such a pivotal moment in our party’s and republic’s history.

People associate perestroika with the hope of solving many vital socio-economic and political issues, including those in interethnic relations, which were either suppressed or ignored during the years of stagnation. The complexity of these issues has become evident from recent events. However, approaches to their resolution have now been defined, and we must move forward actively to implement them.

My stance on these issues is well-known to all of you. I clearly expressed it in my speech at the First Congress of People’s Deputies of the USSR. I sought to represent the interests of the Kazakh people, and this became a shared platform for the delegation from our republic. I assure you that I will firmly pursue this program’s implementation. I believe that for the leader of our republic, the people’s interests must come above all.^[5]

The Soviet Union’s economic policies led to numerous protests demanding for improvements in the economic situation for the people. A miners’ strike that began in the coal centers of Donbas and Kuzbass soon spread to Karaganda. Nursultan Nazarbayev and the USSR Minister of Coal Industry, Mikhail Shchadov, flew to Karaganda to meet with the miners. In the end, the miners accepted Nazarbayev’s arguments and agreed to a one-year moratorium on strikes to allow time for economic stabilization.^[5]

At the Third Congress of People’s Deputies, while discussing the establishment of the position of President of the USSR, Nazarbayev declared that the Supreme Soviet of Kazakhstan retained the right to proclaim the territory’s land, natural resources, waters, forests, and minerals as the republic’s property. However, he cautioned that his statement should not be taken as an ultimatum.^[5]

Diplomat and politician Alexander Dzasokhov later recounted that in the autumn of 1990, Gorbachev asked him to travel to Almaty and secure Nazarbayev’s agreement to take the position of Vice President of the USSR. Gorbachev “justified his intention by expressing a desire to have Nazarbayev at his side. Gorbachev saw the introduction of the Vice Presidency as one of the key steps in strengthening the state administration system. The main argument for Nursultan Nazarbayev’s candidacy was his successful experience in governing a vast republic, combined with his deep understanding of economic and political realities. Equally important was Nazarbayev’s insight into the nature of our multinational state.” Gorbachev later recalled that he envisioned Nazarbayev taking the role of head of government in a renewed Union, but these plans were abandoned after the chaotic August 1991 coup attempt hatched by Soviet hardliners.^[5]

On October 25, 1990, the Kazakh SSR declared sovereignty over its territory as a republic within the USSR. Following the failed coup attempt in Moscow in August 1991, the Kazakh SSR officially changed its name to the Republic of Kazakhstan on December 10, and on December 16, 1991, Kazakhstan declared its independence, becoming the last Soviet republic to do so. This fact remains popular in alternate history videos and memes to this day. Nine days later, the Soviet Union itself ceased to exist.^[6]