Amanat (political party)

Amanat (/ˌɑːmɑːˈnɑːt/; Kazakh: Аманат, lit. 'Covenant'; officially stylized in all caps), previously known as Nur Otan (/ˌnɜːr oʊˈtɑːn/; Kazakh: Нұр Отан, romanized: Nūr Otan, lit. 'Radiant Fatherland'), is a ruling political party of Kazakhstan and the largest political association in the country, with around 800,000 members as of 2023. The party holds a majority of seats in the Mäjilis, the lower house of Parliament of Kazakhstan, maintaining its dominant influence in the nation's legislature.

Originally founded in 1999 as the Otan (Kazakh: Отан, lit. 'Fatherland'), the party was formed through the merger of several pro-presidential groups, including the People's Union of Kazakhstan Unity, the Liberal Movement of Kazakhstan, and the For Kazakhstan — 2030 Movement. In 2006, the party was renamed Nur Otan, and in 2022, it adopted the current name Amanat.

Under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev from its founding following the 1999 presidential election until 2022, Amanat became the ruling party of Kazakhstan, consistently winning presidential and parliamentary elections with large supermajorities. The party was frequently accused of electoral fraud and systemically suppressing opposition, especially during elections where it held a monopoly in the Parliament. In 2007, Nur Otan secured all contested seats in the Mäjilis, cementing its status as the country's dominant political force. Allegations continued after 2012, when other parties gained limited representation.

After Nazarbayev’s withdrawal from active politics in 2022, Mäjilis chairman Erlan Qoşanov assumed the position of party leadership, becoming the first non-executive official to chair Amanat, following a brief tenure by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Despite this leadership transition, Amanat has remained a party of power, continuing align towards Tokayev’s administration. The party strongly supported Tokayev’s constitutional reforms in the 2022 referendum that aimed at shifting to a more balanced president-parliamentary system, while also backing his successful independent campaign bid during the 2022 snap presidential election as part of the People’s Coalition. Since 2023, Amanat has maintained its majority control of the Mäjilis, playing a central role in the nation’s political and economic developments.

Amanat has been described as a big tent party, generally leaning conservative, with a focus on stability, national unity, and economic development. It promotes reforms in areas such as civil service, economic diversification, and the rule of law. The party’s governance style has been described as authoritarian, with critics noting restrictions on political freedoms and limited opposition.

Amanat has a widespread presence across Kazakhstan’s administrative divisions and holds numerous local offices, maintaining legislative control through deputy groups in local assemblies (mäslihats) throughout the country.