Remains of Kazakh opposition jerry-built themselves the Coalition of Democratic Forces. Yesterday, they were supposed to have another gathering and put forward their single candidacy to upcoming presidential elections. None of the leaders of those forces showed up there – not even Bulat Abilov. That triggered all sort of rumors.
Will the Coalition take part in that race or will they boycott elections? We discussed it with the famous journalist Yermurat Bapi, whom many political analysts called the future Head of State.
No Circus?
— Mr. Bapi, why did not they show up?
— Probably, those people had some pressing party affairs elsewhere. They did not elect a single candidate. It is absolutely clear now, that there will be no single presidential candidate.
— In other words, the Coalition will boycott the elections?
— No. Most likely, all sorts of political groups will take part. For the time being, they will probably declare they will not run. Some of them will say they will boycott elections. Some of them, for example Yel Tiregi Party will put forward their own candidates, such as Nurzhan Altayev.
Opposition Never Was Unified
— As far as we know, opposition had two attempts to make a Coalition – in 2005, when DPK Real Ak Zhol, DVK and KPK showed intention to take part in presidential elections, and in 2009 when opposition united again. Because of internal disputes, both the times the coalition collapsed. Will the present coalition follow their trail?
— In 2005, the “For the Just Kazakhstan” all-Republic movement put forward Zharmahan Tuyakbay as the single oppositional presidential candidate. It was then, that many opposition parties were getting upset about it, but they went there and they voted for that candidate. At present, the opposition does not show similar solidarity. That is why, the present Coalition shall not offer one candidate. In Kazakhstan, opposition never was unified. During 2005 presidential elections, the opposition did unite, but then all of those individual forces again descended down to their localistic priorities. In spring 2023, we will have elections to the parliament, and each party will run on their own.
— What about Tuyakbay? Since he left, we heard nothing about him …
— He retired from politics in 2018. He lives in Shymkent now.
Ak Zhol is No Opposition?
— The Ak Zhol parliamentary opposition are also intending to take part in elections. What do you think about that?
— Ak Zhol deem themselves opposition, but society do not. Azat Peruashev can go on making statements he wants, but he needs to prove his true oppositional nature through practical deeds – Ak Zhol must prove they are in opposition to the present ruling regime, its programs and its actions. Yes, sometimes Ak Zhol MPs act against some individual Ministers and public servants, but those are singular cases. In general, they are not out there to oppose the regime. I cannot call them opposition. I never heard them speaking against Nazarbayev then and neither are they speaking out against Tokayev now. Parliamentary and non-parliamentary oppositions are two absolutely different things.
I Ain’t Gonna Be a President
— Do you personally plan to take part in presidential elections?
— No. In the past, I said that we could discuss my own campaign, if only the opposition decided to put forward a single candidate. At present, all we see in the camp of the opposition is confusion and vacillation. Makes no sense to go for it and find yourself under the fire of criticism from former allies. They will be nothing, but obstacles and pains in the neck.
That is not something I want to go for.
It has been 25 years, that I am an opposition activist. I shall not allow some ex-candidate criticize me. I know those games, and I am done with them.
I Did Not Betray OSDP
— I remember the viral fragment from the Nege (Why) television program. You had debates with Tazabek Sambetay, head of Almaty OSDP branch and you threw a glass and then you slapped him on the face. That was one recollection! Something similar happened long ago, when Gani Kasymov threw a glass of juice into the face of his opponent during a live television stream. Your opponent accused you of betraying the party for USD 200 thousand. Is that so?
— No, that is a burn steer he gave the audience! I came to chair OSDP after Tuyakbay and ran a due diligence, exposing a big debt the party had. Zharmahan Tuyakbay then told us that the sum was USD 200 thousand. I approached my allies with a suggestion to help to close that debt. We gathered some USD 100 thousand, and we did not manage to return to remaining part in time. In was when a coup took place in the party. In an interview given to Television Channel 31, Sambetay claimed I betrayed the party. What do you mean “I betrayed”? It was a financial debt the party had. So I could not take those lies any longer and I gave him some good spankng.
Kosanov is my Bro-in-Law, but Dinkum Stands Higher!
— How would you comment Amirzhan Kosanov’s declaration of intention to run this time again?
— Don’t know, that is his decision and choice …
— Many think he is a traitor …
— During last elections, he just could not take pressure any more. He should have waited until the morning to see the final count, but he depleted all his stocks of patience. Today, he could make a real opponent to Tokayev. And, probably, he could make the next President. As for those last elections, he betrayed the interests of society. By law, there must be some public association to put him forward. At previous elections, he was acting on behalf of the Ult Taghdyry movement. I do not know, which association will assume risks to put him forward this time. It is high time for Kosanov to show some consciousness!
— You and Kosanov are married to sisters, you are Bazhas (Brothers-in-Law). Did you not try to bring him back to track, as a relative?
— Our wives are not sisters, but cousins. Since the last elections, I cancelled any communication with him.
— Do you maintain relations as relatives?
— No, and Nope and Nada! Our wives do communicate, but I do not.
Prodigal Premier Back?
— In an interview to one of the Youtube channels you mentioned about revanchists striving back to power. Recently, we have been discussing ex-Premier Kazhegeldin’s possible homecoming. What do you say to that?
— I think he must return. He is a professional politician and in the last 25 years he gained some solid international experience. And he is not a revanchist. He is a politician in exile. He is a victim of an unfair court verdict made in absentia. He is not in the position to return. If after presidential elections, Tokayev decides to bring him back and put him in charge of the stolen money repatriation, that will make a great sense.
Kazhegeldin and his team know well who particularly stole and how much they stole. We are looking at approximately USD 50 billion.
— But as far as we know, he also snatched millions of dollars running off the country. Does he not want to start repatriation of money from his own self and return what he stole to the people of Kazakhstan?
— I do not believe that he ran away with the money. He had no money when he was leaving the country. When the Kazakhgate scandal took place, there were no sums identified, as connected to him. Which means, he did not run with the money. But I remember that he sold his interest in some business. For how much – I do not know.
