Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the hand-picked successor to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kazakhstan-elects-new-leader-as-hundreds-arrested-in-protests-225813">Kazakhstan's longtime ruler</a>, was inaugurated as president Wednesday after winning an election marred by a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kazakh-activists-call-for-more-protests-over-presidential-vote-226288">police crackdown</a> and slammed by foreign monitors for "voting irregularities".

The career diplomat became only the country's second elected president, succeeding 78-year-old Nursultan Nazarbayev, who stepped down in March after ruling since Soviet times.

During the inauguration in the capital Nur-Sultan, Tokayev, 66, pledged that "different opinions, united nation" would be a slogan of his presidency.

He was shown kissing the state flag in a ceremony broadcast on state television that was watched over by Nazarbayev and marked in ceremonial pomp by the national anthem and artillery salutes.&nbsp;

Speaking in both Kazakh and Russian during the ceremony, Tokayev said that the results of Sunday's polls which he won with over 70 per cent of the vote showed that the people had "supported the strategy of Elbasy", which translates from Kazakh as 'Leader of the Nation' and refers to Nazarbayev's constitutionally designated status.&nbsp;

Nazarbayev's announcement that he was stepping down and naming Tokayev interim leader shocked Kazakhs who had lived under his rule for almost 30 years.

But the strongman, who turned the country of 18 million people into an energy powerhouse while governing with little tolerance for the opposition, is still expected to call the shots from behind the scenes.

Along with his role as 'Leader of the Nation', which affords him unique policymaking privileges, he is the lifelong chairman of the country's powerful security council and the leader of the ruling party that nominated Tokayev for the vote.

Protest mood

The interior ministry said that 500 citizens were arrested in protests called by Nazarbayev's foreign-based nemesis Mukhtar Ablyazov on Sunday, and a further 200 on Monday.

Some protesters on Sunday told AFP they did not identify with Ablyazov's banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DCK) movement but would continue to protest against a vote they view as illegitimate.&nbsp;

Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe(OSCE) said Monday the election had been characterised by "a lack of regard for fundamental rights, including detentions of peaceful protesters, and widespread voting irregularities on election day."

Hundreds took to the streets on Monday in a protest unrelated to those called by Ablyazov, after a popular Kazakh poet was detained for calling an unsanctioned rally calling for the election results to be cancelled.

Rinat Zaitov, who has a strong following on social media, was later released, but scores of protesters continued to roam the streets of the country's largest city Almaty late into the night.&nbsp;

Large police military vehicles later surrounded the protesters as elite police forces made arrests.&nbsp;

'Dialogue with society'&nbsp;

Tokayev has pledged to create a "dialogue with society" as president but there are doubts over what he can achieve as a long-serving insider in a regime strongly resistant to political reforms.&nbsp;

On Wednesday he pledged to create a "national council of public trust" to increase public participation in policymaking.

He also pledged to "seriously refresh social policies" in comments that appear designed to head off the protest mood.

Public dissatisfaction with law enforcement has deepened since election day as internet users shared footage of elderly protesters being detained and some citizens unconnected to the protests being manhandled into a police van.

Several journalists, including two AFP correspondents, were also detained on election day as part of a police response that Tokayev has publicly supported. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Dimash Alzhanov, a political scientist and campaigner for police reform who was detained twice before being released on Sunday and Monday, told AFP Wednesday that he doubted Tokayev's pledge to boost civil society and grow public trust.&nbsp;

"(Tokayev) is illegitimate because he was elected with major violations. Before talking about public trust he should institute serious political reforms that show the system's relationship to citizens is changing," Alzhanov told AFP by telephone.&nbsp;

The country's state prosecutor warned Wednesday that protesters would continue to be detained for participating in "illegal" rallies, with further protests expected later in the day.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the hand-picked successor to Kazakhstan's longtime ruler, was inaugurated as president Wednesday after winning an election marred by a police crackdown and slammed by foreign monitors for "voting irregularities".

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the hand-picked successor to Kazakhstan's longtime ruler, was inaugurated as president Wednesday after winning an election marred by a police crackdown and slammed by foreign monitors for "voting irregularities". The career diplomat became only the country's second elected president, succeeding 78-year-old Nursultan Nazarbayev, who stepped down in March after ruling since Soviet times. During the inauguration in the capital Nur-Sultan, Tokayev, 66, pledged that "different opinions, united nation" would be a slogan of his presidency. He was shown kissing the state flag in a ceremony broadcast on state television that was watched over by Nazarbayev and marked in ceremonial pomp by the national anthem and artillery salutes. Speaking in both Kazakh and Russian during the ceremony, Tokayev said that the results of Sunday's polls which he won with over 70 per cent of the vote showed that the people had "supported the strategy of Elbasy", which translates from Kazakh as 'Leader of the Nation' and refers to Nazarbayev's constitutionally designated status. Nazarbayev's announcement that he was stepping down and naming Tokayev interim leader shocked Kazakhs who had lived under his rule for almost 30 years. But the strongman, who turned the country of 18 million people into an energy powerhouse while governing with little tolerance for the opposition, is still expected to call the shots from behind the scenes. Along with his role as 'Leader of the Nation', which affords him unique policymaking privileges, he is the lifelong chairman of the country's powerful security council and the leader of the ruling party that nominated Tokayev for the vote. Protest mood The interior ministry said that 500 citizens were arrested in protests called by Nazarbayev's foreign-based nemesis Mukhtar Ablyazov on Sunday, and a further 200 on Monday. Some protesters on Sunday told AFP they did not identify with Ablyazov's banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DCK) movement but would continue to protest against a vote they view as illegitimate. Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe(OSCE) said Monday the election had been characterised by "a lack of regard for fundamental rights, including detentions of peaceful protesters, and widespread voting irregularities on election day." Hundreds took to the streets on Monday in a protest unrelated to those called by Ablyazov, after a popular Kazakh poet was detained for calling an unsanctioned rally calling for the election results to be cancelled. Rinat Zaitov, who has a strong following on social media, was later released, but scores of protesters continued to roam the streets of the country's largest city Almaty late into the night. Large police military vehicles later surrounded the protesters as elite police forces made arrests. 'Dialogue with society' Tokayev has pledged to create a "dialogue with society" as president but there are doubts over what he can achieve as a long-serving insider in a regime strongly resistant to political reforms. On Wednesday he pledged to create a "national council of public trust" to increase public participation in policymaking. He also pledged to "seriously refresh social policies" in comments that appear designed to head off the protest mood. Public dissatisfaction with law enforcement has deepened since election day as internet users shared footage of elderly protesters being detained and some citizens unconnected to the protests being manhandled into a police van. Several journalists, including two AFP correspondents, were also detained on election day as part of a police response that Tokayev has publicly supported. Dimash Alzhanov, a political scientist and campaigner for police reform who was detained twice before being released on Sunday and Monday, told AFP Wednesday that he doubted Tokayev's pledge to boost civil society and grow public trust. "(Tokayev) is illegitimate because he was elected with major violations. Before talking about public trust he should institute serious political reforms that show the system's relationship to citizens is changing," Alzhanov told AFP by telephone. The country's state prosecutor warned Wednesday that protesters would continue to be detained for participating in "illegal" rallies, with further protests expected later in the day.

Successor to longtime Kazakh ruler is sworn in as president

Anti-government activists called on Monday for more protests in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kazakhstan-vote-showed-scant-respect-for-democracy-observers-225968">Kazakhstan</a> against what they said was a rigged presidential election result, as police warned they would crack down on any dissent.

Opposition groups circulated messages on social media calling for people to take to the streets on Wednesday when Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will be inaugurated into the top job previously held by his patron, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The statements came a day after police detained scores of demonstrators in Almaty, the biggest city in the former Soviet republic when Tokayev's victory was confirmed.

A series of rallies since Sunday's vote amounts to the biggest display of public discontent since 2016 when protests forced the authorities to shelve planned land reforms.

The interior ministry said police arrested 200 people on Monday in addition to 500 held a day earlier over protests which are illegal unless explicitly allowed by the government

Officers were out again in Almaty on Tuesday, with several National Guard personnel carrier trucks parked near the focal spot of past demonstrations.

Authorities have said the election results were legitimate and blamed the protests on Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK), a movement led by fugitive former banker and minister Mukhtar Ablyazov.

Poet Detained

Ablyazov, who is wanted in Kazakhstan on multiple felony charges which he has dismissed as politically motivated, lives in France and regularly attacks Nazarbayev on social media.

Monday night's protests were triggered by the detention earlier that day of Rinat Zaitov, a poet and musician who has said he wants to start his own political movement.

About 200 of Zaitov's supporters, some of whom broadcast the event online, gathered outside police headquarters and demanded his release until he appeared in front of the crowd saying he was free and heading home.

The crowd began an impromptu victory march through the city, some on foot and others driving slowly and honking their horns until police blocked their way.

Police in black uniforms and balaclavas could be seen slamming people to the ground. A news website said police beat up one of its reporters at the site.

The Almaty police department said a car driven by protesters had hit a policeman and a police car had been damaged by stones hurled at it.

"Police... will not allow disturbances of public order, any illegal actions and threats to the lives and safety of citizens will be stopped in strict accordance with the law," it said in a statement.

Anti-government activists called on Monday for more protests in Kazakhstan against what they said was a rigged presidential election result, as police warned they would crack down on any dissent.

Anti-government activists called on Monday for more protests in Kazakhstan against what they said was a rigged presidential election result, as police warned they would crack down on any dissent. Opposition groups circulated messages on social media calling for people to take to the streets on Wednesday when Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will be inaugurated into the top job previously held by his patron, Nursultan Nazarbayev. The statements came a day after police detained scores of demonstrators in Almaty, the biggest city in the former Soviet republic when Tokayev's victory was confirmed. A series of rallies since Sunday's vote amounts to the biggest display of public discontent since 2016 when protests forced the authorities to shelve planned land reforms. The interior ministry said police arrested 200 people on Monday in addition to 500 held a day earlier over protests which are illegal unless explicitly allowed by the government Officers were out again in Almaty on Tuesday, with several National Guard personnel carrier trucks parked near the focal spot of past demonstrations. Authorities have said the election results were legitimate and blamed the protests on Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK), a movement led by fugitive former banker and minister Mukhtar Ablyazov. Poet Detained Ablyazov, who is wanted in Kazakhstan on multiple felony charges which he has dismissed as politically motivated, lives in France and regularly attacks Nazarbayev on social media. Monday night's protests were triggered by the detention earlier that day of Rinat Zaitov, a poet and musician who has said he wants to start his own political movement. About 200 of Zaitov's supporters, some of whom broadcast the event online, gathered outside police headquarters and demanded his release until he appeared in front of the crowd saying he was free and heading home. The crowd began an impromptu victory march through the city, some on foot and others driving slowly and honking their horns until police blocked their way. Police in black uniforms and balaclavas could be seen slamming people to the ground. A news website said police beat up one of its reporters at the site. The Almaty police department said a car driven by protesters had hit a policeman and a police car had been damaged by stones hurled at it. "Police... will not allow disturbances of public order, any illegal actions and threats to the lives and safety of citizens will be stopped in strict accordance with the law," it said in a statement.

Kazakh activists call for more protests over presidential vote

Police in Kazakhstan on Friday detained dozens of anti-government protesters in the largest city Almaty and the country's capital, days after leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kazakhstan-president-nursultan-nazarbayev-resigns-after-three-decades-in-office-204358">Nursultan Nazarbayev's shock resignation</a>.

Nazarbayev's foreign-based opponent, Mukhtar Ablyazov, had called for protests on March 22, before the long-time president announced he was standing down on Tuesday.

Around 30 people were arrested in Kazakhstan's largest city, witnesses said.

Those held did not have a chance to protest and appeared to have been identified by police prior to arriving at the spot in the centre of the city where a public holiday was being celebrated.&nbsp;

Separately, local media said that "tens of people" including a journalist had been arrested in the capital, the name of which was changed this week from Astana to Nursultan, or "Sultan of Light" in Kazakh.

Two men in the area where arrests took place in Almaty identified themselves as supporters of Ablyazov, who is based in France.

"Yes, I like his (Ablyazov's) programme," one of the two men said. "But if you print my name I might get jailed."

Ablyazov's Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan movement was ruled extremist by a Kazakh court last year in a move critics say has deepened the crackdown on regime opponents.&nbsp;

On Thursday, police arrested several people in Kazakhstan's capital <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kazakhstan-renames-capital-as-new-president-takes-office-204585">protesting the decision to rename the city in honour of Nazarbayev</a>.

Career diplomat and political loyalist Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was sworn into office Wednesday after Nazarbayev, the only leader an independent Kazakhstan had ever known, stepped down after three decades in office.&nbsp;

Kazakhstan's senate appointed Nazarbayev's eldest daughter Dariga Nazarbayeva as speaker, setting her up as a potential contender to succeed her father.

Tokayev, 65, will serve out the rest of Nazarbayev's mandate until elections due next year, though the former president retains significant powers.

Public gatherings in authoritarian Kazakhstan are illegal unless they receive permission from local authorities, which is almost never provided in the case of political demonstrations.

Police in Kazakhstan on Friday detained dozens of anti-government protesters in the largest city Almaty and the country's capital, days after leader Nursultan Nazarbayev's shock resignation.

Police in Kazakhstan on Friday detained dozens of anti-government protesters in the largest city Almaty and the country's capital, days after leader Nursultan Nazarbayev's shock resignation. Nazarbayev's foreign-based opponent, Mukhtar Ablyazov, had called for protests on March 22, before the long-time president announced he was standing down on Tuesday. Around 30 people were arrested in Kazakhstan's largest city, witnesses said. Those held did not have a chance to protest and appeared to have been identified by police prior to arriving at the spot in the centre of the city where a public holiday was being celebrated. Separately, local media said that "tens of people" including a journalist had been arrested in the capital, the name of which was changed this week from Astana to Nursultan, or "Sultan of Light" in Kazakh. Two men in the area where arrests took place in Almaty identified themselves as supporters of Ablyazov, who is based in France. "Yes, I like his (Ablyazov's) programme," one of the two men said. "But if you print my name I might get jailed." Ablyazov's Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan movement was ruled extremist by a Kazakh court last year in a move critics say has deepened the crackdown on regime opponents. On Thursday, police arrested several people in Kazakhstan's capital protesting the decision to rename the city in honour of Nazarbayev. Career diplomat and political loyalist Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was sworn into office Wednesday after Nazarbayev, the only leader an independent Kazakhstan had ever known, stepped down after three decades in office. Kazakhstan's senate appointed Nazarbayev's eldest daughter Dariga Nazarbayeva as speaker, setting her up as a potential contender to succeed her father. Tokayev, 65, will serve out the rest of Nazarbayev's mandate until elections due next year, though the former president retains significant powers. Public gatherings in authoritarian Kazakhstan are illegal unless they receive permission from local authorities, which is almost never provided in the case of political demonstrations.

Anti-government protesters held in Kazakhstan, after president resigns