I stand for constructive inner-party criticism - Member of Nur Otan Political Council Amangeldy Yermegiyayev

A regular Congress of Nur Otan People?s Democratic Party, which will mark its 10th anniversary, is to be held today. Now you can look back and remember, how the Party was born, and people who were at its waterhead. Ten years in building and development of any party is a small period. Certainly, for our dynamically developing country that managed to move away from a totalitarian to a democratic society in a very short time, this time was intensive and filled with huge content. It was time when we did not have our own experience in state and party building. We used to live in a different political system, being led by program documents of the Communist Party. Prior to the appearance of the party Otan there was a public organization that promoted and supported a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic of Kazakhstan. After completion of the campaign there was a need to realize the experience of public activities and the idea appeared to create a political party. First of all it was dictated by public processes happening in the country. What steps did the Party take to become a leading place in the society? At that time different parties including opposition became to emerge. We set a goal ? to take the lead in competition with them and other public associations. It is necessary to know and feel the population?s needs and remember about the state prospects, its economic and political prosperity to answer the time challenges. We had to work not only on policy document, Charter, but choose directions for dynamical development of the country. Four congresses of the Party were held during my work for the Party at those days. The Party faced certain tasks at every congress and many far-reaching decisions were taken. For example, a program on small and medium business development for 2003-2005 was adopted at the 4th Congress of the Party. We worthily introduced it in the life. At the following two congresses we made amendments to the program. At the upcoming Congress we will make amendments to the Charter, the program, because the time sets new tasks. The faction has certain influence on the legislative process in the country. Nur Otan Party has a majority of seats in the Majilis. It is also a certain stage for the Party? Any party strives for victory at presidential elections, to have a majority in the legislative power for its program implementation. In nominating their candidates for the Majilis, the Party takes a policy document. At the 7th Congress the Party?s election program ?Kazakhstan?s way-2009? was established. It touched upon all aspects of economic, social, political course of our country. The country works on this document nowadays. The life brings its corrections. The economic crisis makes amendments to the policy documents of the Party. But in any case, this document should be flexible. Nur Otan was the first to propose akims? reports to the public. This became a crucial moment in the country?s democratic development? The reports of the executives to the Majilis, local authorities, district and oblast maslikhats and population are quite necessary elements in democratization of the society. That was a difficult moment. For its introduction we needed political will of the President of the country, interest of social organizations and aspirations of the nation itself. Today?s Government?s reports to the Parliament, akims? reports to the people are quite normal events. This is a real mechanism of control over the executive power. To date Nur Otan enjoys party majority in the Majilis and influences on formation of the Government. If the party wins presidential elections its members are nominated to the members of local executive bodies. Thus the party assumes double responsibility ? while nominating its candidates and before the electorate for any results of its activities. Today there is only one party in the Majilis of the Parliament. But I have always refrained from this viewpoint. Kazakhstan is a young state. Party building in the country is underway and we should give an opportunity for pluralism in the Parliament. There should be 5-6 parties in the Majilis at this stage of Kazakhstan?s development. This is the main feature of healthy competition. Do you support constructive criticism? There will be stagnation without criticism. Any society needs constructive opposition. There should also be an inner-party discussion, and healthy criticism is always needed. Being a member of the Political Council of Nur Otan people?s Democratic Party, how do you participate in the party life? There a consultative body - Abroi Council of Elders - under the party which consists of the people who were among the founders of the party. We take part in discussion of most urgent issues, make proposals and participate in the sessions of the Party?s Political Council. Recently we have participated in an enlarged session of the Political Council of the Party which was also attended by the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet. At this session we gave our own vision of the current economic processes in the country and made our proposals on overcoming this difficult period. Moreover, we made certain proposals and steps in this direction. To my mind Kazakhstan should choose strategic and priority sectors of economy for further development. Undoubtedly, agriculture is one of the vitally important sectors. As for primary sector, Kazakhstan greatly depends on the world conjuncture of prices. But our geographic location provides an advantage to turn our country into a transit state amid Russia, West, Pacific region and China. I also touched upon the problems in the construction sector, which had also been affected by the global financial crisis. In spite of this, we gained a good experience and this sector can become a locomotive of the economy. The Party is actively involved in socially important movements. The public receptions of Nur Otan Party have become the last resort for many citizens of our country where they hope find solution to their problems. This shows their trust to the party. Thank you for the interview.