Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov delivers a speech at the leaders summit of the COP27 climate conference at the Sharm el-Sheikh International Convention Centre on Nov 7, 2022. (PHOTO / AFP)

ALMATY — Kazakhstan's ruling Amanat party nominated Alikhan Smailov, prime minister since January 2022, for the same position on Thursday, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's office said, meaning he was certain to retain the job.

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Smailov, 50, and other cabinet members resigned automatically after the March 19 snap parliamentary election, and Tokayev now needs to appoint a new government.