Nazarbayev’s influence in Europe © mukhtarablyazov.org

Kazakhstan is a very active country in the international arena, and as such one very sensitive when it comes to its image as the ‘oasis of democracy and stability’ as well as its alleged position as the leader of reforms in Central Asia. The importance of image construction to Kazakhstan is best illustrated by the recruitment of a hand-picked group of former European political leaders to advise the country’s ruling elites. There is an International Advisory Group functioning at the President’s office, including top European politicians, whose lobby’s task is to promote Nazarbayev and support his efforts at concealing the actual façade character of democracy in Kazakhstan. The government of Kazakhstan also employs services of PR agencies, such as Portland PR and Tony Blair Associates.

See the infographics by Open Dialog Foundation.

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