Political parties in Kazakhstan play a crucial role in the country's governance and political landscape. The main political party is the Nur Otan, which has been dominant since its establishment in 1999. Other parties, such as the Ak Zhol and the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan, also participate in the political process, but they have significantly less influence. Kazakhstan's political system is characterized by a multi-party framework, although it has faced criticism for limited political pluralism. The Constitution allows for the formation of various parties, but the government has been known to restrict opposition activities, impacting the overall competitiveness of the political environment.