Fatherland (Kazakhstan)

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Kazakhstan
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Fatherland (Kazakh: Отан Otan) was the largest political party in Kazakhstan, led by Bakhytzhan Zhumagulov with over 700,000 members^[1] until December 22. At a subsequent party congress, delegates agreed to incorporate the Civic Party and the Agrarian Party and rename the party to Nur-Otan

Otan was originally established on February 12, 1999 after the merger of several previously independent pro-presidential parties, including the People's Union of Kazakhstan Unity, the Liberal Movement of Kazakhstan, and the "For Kazakhstan - 2030" Movement. At the so-called "uniting" congress, the new party outlined a program largely supportive of the government led by President Nursultan Nazarbayev.^[2]

A sign for the Otan (Fatherland) Party in Turkistan, Kazakhstan.

At its last legislative elections under the Otan banner (19 September and 3 October 2004) the party won 60.6% of the popular vote and 42 out of 77 seats.

In the run-up to previous elections, Otan usually received a majority of domestic media coverage. Before the 1999 election, for example, it was reported that Otan was the main focus in almost 60% of the coverage.^[3] Additionally, most of the country's major media outlets had political leanings towards Otan (including those networks such as Khabar, which were formally supportive of Asar).