Aq Jol

The Aq Jol, officially the "Aq Jol" Democratic Party of Kazakhstan (, Демократическая партия Казахстана «Ак жол») is a liberal-conservative political party in Kazakhstan. The Aq Jol is led by Azat Peruaşev, a deputy of the Mäjilis.

The Aq Jol party was formed in early 2002, after its faction became being split from the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan. From there, it was positioned as an opposition party though in a moderate tone. The party has experienced fragmentation over the years, leading to the formation of dissident factions. Despite its opposition stance, the Aq Jol had been repeatedly described as a pro-government party in Kazakhstan, with it joining the People's Coalition in support of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in the 2022 election.

The Aq Jol party advocates for political reform, economic liberalism, and secularism. It has participated in presidential and parliamentary elections, with varying levels of electoral success.

History
The Aq Jol was originally formed in January 2002, when a group of party moderates split from the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (QDT) movement, founded in November 2001 by Kazakh officials opposing President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The new more moderate party ran on a pro-reform, pro-business platform, and in contrast to the QDT, its leaders refrained from openly confronting Nazarbayev. The Aq Jol party was founded by Oraz Jandosov, Bulat Äbılov and Alihan Baimenov. Former Information Minister Altynbek Särsenbaiūly later joined the party in 2003.

Aq Jol nominated Dania Espaeva as its candidate for the 2019 presidential election. It was the first time ever a woman ran for President in the country. Espaeva received 5.05 percent (465,714) of votes. Her participation in the election received praise from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly election observation mission as a good start for a higher women's representation in politics.

In October 2022, the QHP joined the People's Coalition, in support of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, ceasing to be even nominally part of the opposition.

Electoral performance
Aq Jol received 12% of the votes at the 2004 legislative elections. Alihan Baimenov refused to accept the only seat the party received at the 77 member Mäjılıs until October 2006 when he reversed his position and joined parliament as the only deputy of an opposition party. The party advocated democratization of the political system, particularly elections of governors (akims) at all levels of the administrative system.

Fragmentation
In the spring of 2005, Särsenbaiūly, Äbılov and Jandosov split from the party to form a dissident faction named Nağyz Ak Jol (True Bright Path). At the last presidential elections on 4 December 2005 Aq Jol did not join the opposition political alliance For A Just Kazakhstan and instead nominated Alihan Baimenov, the chair, as the party candidate. Baimenov won 1.61% of the popular vote. One of the party leaders who later joined the Nağyz Ak Jol party, Altynbek Särsenbaiūly, was killed near Almaty in February 2006 soon after the presidential elections. In the 18 August 2007 Mäjılıs elections, the party won 3.27% of the popular vote and no seats. All seats were won by the ruling Nur-Otan party. In the 2012 Mäjılıs election, the party won 8 seats and thus becoming one of three parties represented in the legislature. The party won 7 seats in the 2016 Mäjılıs elections.