The term of office of the current head of state, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, expires in 2024, but he has made it clear that he wants to make way for young leaders
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov
Early presidential elections in Turkmenistan will be held on March 12, Reuters reports citing a representative of the Central Election Commission.
The day before, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at a meeting of the Halkmaslakhaty— upper house of parliament— declared that he had decided to make way for young leaders “brought up in a spiritual environment and in accordance with the high demands of modernity.” According to him, the decision was not easy. The head of state noted that two years ago he reached the age of the prophet (63 years).
Berdimuhamedov has been president of Turkmenistan since 2007. His term of office expires in 2024.
According to Art. 86 of the Electoral Code of the country, if the head of state “for one reason or another cannot perform his duties”, the Majlis— lower house of parliament— in accordance with the Constitution, calls elections on the day of the transfer of presidential powers to the acting head of state— Chairman of the Halkmaslakhaty, and elections are held no later than 60 days after that. At the same time, and.about. President, according to the Constitution, can not be nominated as a candidate in elections. Elections are held on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.
Berdymukhammedov's 40-year-old deputy prime minister's son Serdar is seen as a likely successor, Reuters notes.
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