Kazakhstan votes in a parliamentary election expected to strengthen president’s grip on power

Kazakhstan held a parliamentary election for its new single-chamber parliament called the Kurultai, an event expected to strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s grip on power. The vote follows a constitutional overhaul initiated by Tokayev and takes place amid economic strain and intensifying crackdowns on media freedom. Authorities have opened criminal cases against independent journalists for publishing information regarding Ukraine.