July 6, 1940 - Nursultan Nazarbayev
Kazakhstan's founding president held power for nearly three decades through a combination of managed elections, constitutional manipulation, and the gradual consolidation of authority that left little room for genuine political opposition. His 1991 election ran without opposing candidates, and a 1995 referendum — rather than a vote — extended his tenure while expanding presidential powers. Even after formally stepping down in 2019, he retained significant institutional influence through the Elbasy title and Security Council chairmanship, a post-presidential arrangement critics described as continued rule by other means.
From Wikipedia
Nursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev (born 6 July 1940) is a Kazakh politician who served as the first president of Kazakhstan from 1991 to 2019. He also held the special title of Elbasy from 2010 to 2022 and chairman of the Security Council from 1991 to 2022.
Nazarbayev's political career began in the Soviet era, where he joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1962 while working as a steel factory worker. Rising through the party ranks, he became Prime Minister of the Kazakh SSR in 1984 and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan in 1989. In 1990, the Supreme Soviet elected him as the president of Kazakhstan. Nazarbayev played a key role in navigating Kazakhstan through the dissolution of the Soviet Union, leading to the country's independence in 1991. In the country’s first direct 1991 presidential election, Nazarbayev appeared on the ballot without opposition and secured an overwhelming victory. In 1995, ruling by decree, Nazarbayev extended his presidency through a referendum and adopted a new constitution that expanded his powers.
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