Kazakh PM Smailov set to keep job after election

FILE PHOTO-Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attends a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Astana, Kazakhstan, February 28, 2023. Olivier Douliery/Pool via REUTERS

ALMATY (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's ruling Amanat party nominated Alikhan Smailov, prime minister since January 2022, for the same position on Thursday, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's office said, meaning he was certain to retain the job.

Smailov, 50, and other cabinet members resigned automatically after the March 19 snap parliamentary election, and Tokayev now needs to appoint a new government.

(Reporting by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Himani Sarkar)