Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed his former chief of staff Olzhas Bektenov to the post of prime minister on January 6. The government had resigned one day earlier, which came as a surprise to observers. Former prime minister Alikhan Smailov, as well as four other ministers, left their post. Smailov had taken office after the Bloody January events of 2022. The composition of the cabinet did not show significant changes.