President of Kazakhstan resigns after 30 years

(Patria) - President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has resigned from his position after a full three decades, announcing the news of his resignation in an address to the nation on state television.

He stated that until the end of his term, the function of head of state will be performed by the Chairman of the Kazakh Senate, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Tokayev will take the solemn oath before the Parliament of Kazakhstan on Wednesday and assume office, remaining in the position until next year, when regular presidential elections are scheduled.

Nazarbayev came to the head of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan in 1989, and in December 1991 he won the election with 98.7 percent of the votes, being elected president of the country.