Last week the major democratic opposition force of Kazkahstan, the “Azat” [Freedom] party celebrated official recognition of their new name by the Ministry of Justice. Earlier the party was called “Nagyz Ak Zhol” [True Bright Path], and the new name was adopted at the party congress with a very little advantage. Another proposed name was “Azamat” [Citizen].

“Under this new name we will continue - together with you - our longstanding activity with the purpose to build a free Kazakhstan, a free country of free people”, pledges the party in a congratulatory statement, adding that its main goal will be improvement of living standards of the citizens.

The first initiative of re-branded party, launched even before the official re-registration, was the drive for signatures campaign, demanding revision of extractive industry contracts, increase of social benefits from the budget, replacement of 13% VAT with 5% taxation of retail sales and entry of Kazakhstan into the Council of Europe. As of today, the campaign has generated more than 40,000 signatures, the party’s press-service reports.