Former Kazakh strongman backs successor in presidential election

New leader faces task of jump-starting growth and foreign direct investment

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told a ruling party convention on April 23 he would ensure the "continuity" of his predecessor's policies, including on the economy and foreign trade. © Reuters

NAUBET BISENOV, Contributing writer

April 23, 2019 15:57 JST

Updated on April 24, 2019 06:11 JST

NUR-SULTAN and SEMEY, Kazakhstan -- Interim leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday gained a powerful endorsement from the country's former strongman as the ruling Nur Otan party unanimously nominated him as a presidential candidate for the June 9 election.