ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP) — Turkmenistan residents are voting Saturday in an election that might mark the start of a political dynasty for the gas-rich Central Asian nation’s sitting president.
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, 64, introduced the vote final month, setting stage for his 40-year previous son Serdar to take over.
Serdar Berdymukhamedov has risen by means of a sequence of more and more outstanding authorities posts and most not too long ago has served because the nation’s deputy prime minister, answering on to his father.
He’s going through what seems to be token competitors from eight different nominal contenders in Saturday’s vote, together with a deputy regional governor and a lawmaker.
“My principal purpose is to proceed on the wonderful path of growth constructed throughout 30 years of independence and to efficiently implement packages aimed to make sure a excessive stage of social situations for the individuals,” Serdar Berdymukhamedov mentioned whereas presenting his platform in televised speech.
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No election in post-Soviet Turkmenistan has been thought of genuinely aggressive. Whereas eight candidates ran in opposition to Berdymukhamedov within the final election in 2017, all expressed assist for his authorities and Berdymukhamedov garnered greater than 97% of the vote.
Berdymukhamedov got here to energy in 2006 after the loss of life of the eccentric Saparmurat Niyazov and established a pervasive persona cult much like that of his predecessor. Underneath his rule, the nation has remained troublesome for outsiders to enter. Turkmenistan has not reported any circumstances of an infection within the coronavirus pandemic.
It additionally has struggled to diversify its financial system, which is overwhelmingly depending on its huge pure fuel reserves. China has changed Russia as the highest export vacation spot for Turkmen fuel, whereas Russian demand is predicted to shrink additional amid tensions with the West over Russia’s struggle in Ukraine.
Berdymukhamedov has cultivated a picture of sturdy well being with media stunts that included firing a pistol at a man-sized goal whereas driving a bicycle and hoisting a gold weightlifting bar, to the applause of his Cupboard. He’s titled Arkadag, or Protector.
When the Turkmen chief introduced the vote final month, he mentioned that the nation ought to be run by youthful individuals. His son has not too long ago turned 40, the minimal age for president in accordance with the Turkmen regulation.
Through the marketing campaign, all candidates praised Berdymukhamedov, who mentioned he’ll retain the submit of the top of the nation’s higher home of parliament.
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