Murat Auezov, formerly an opposition figure and now a co-founder of Asar, has hastened to explain on Khabar's news channel which is owned by Ms Nazarbaeva that this is in fact in full accordance with Kazakh traditions.

ECONOMIST: Dariga Nazarbaeva's political ascension

The authorities also announced plans to increase the state's share in Ms Nazarbayeva's Khabar media network from just over 50% to full ownership (although as of mid-2007 this had not yet occurred), signalling the president's displeasure with her often outspoken criticism of his government's policies.

ECONOMIST: Nursultan Nazarbayev won��t tolerate rivals

Once overshadowed by her powerful and ambitious husband who has now been shipped off as an ambassador to Vienna she has grown from a shy woman barely audible when speaking in public to the self-confident chairman of the Khabar media group, the head of Kazakhstan's journalism association and a publicly acclaimed singer, who recently performed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

ECONOMIST: Dariga Nazarbaeva's political ascension