DUSHANBE, January 9, Asia-Plus – Kazakhstan''s Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov has resigned, Interfax reported.  No reason was given for the resignation, which will force the whole Cabinet to step down.

On Monday January 8, President Nursultan Nazarbayev accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov.  Under Kazakhstan’s legislation, with a premier’s resignation the whole Cabinet should set down. 

Daniyal Akhmetov, 52, had been prime minister since 2003. 

Nazarbayev is expected to submit a replacement candidacy to a joint session of both houses of parliament on Wednesday, January 10.   

In the meantime, BBC reports that Akhmetov''s resignation has been the subject of speculation among political circles ever since several months ago President Nazarbayev openly criticized him for poor planning and overspending.  But in common with most political developments in Kazakhstan, public debate played no part in his resignation and is not likely to be part of the aftermath.