Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Turkmenistan declared its independence on
October 27,
1991.
Saparmyrat Nyyazov became the first president of the new republic and still remains the supreme decisionmaker. On
December 28,
1999, Niyazov's term was extended indefinitely by the Mejlis (parliament), which itself had taken office only a week earlier in elections that included only candidates hand-picked by President Niyazov; no opposition candidates were allowed.
President for Life Saparmurat Niyazov, a former bureaucrat of the
Communist Party of the Soviet Union, has ruled Turkmenistan since
1985, when he became head of the local branch of the Communist Party. He retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. The president's party, the
Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, is the only one legally permitted. Political gatherings are illegal unless government sanctioned. All citizens are required to carry internal passports, noting place of residence, and movement into and out of the country, as well as within its borders, is difficult. Turkmenistan is dominated by a pervasive
cult of personality extolling President Niyazov as Turkmenbashi ("Leader of all Turkmen"). His face adorns many everyday objects, from banknotes to bottles of
vodka. The logo of Turkmen national television is his profile. The two books he has written are mandatory readings in schools, and common in motorclubs, and homes. Many institutions are named after his mother. All watches and clocks made must bear his portrait printed on the dial-face. A giant 15-meter (50 feet) tall gold-plated statue of him stands on a rotating pedestal in
Ashgabat, so it will always face into the sun and shine light onto the city. President Niyazov has recently proclaimed that anyone who reads his book
Ruhnama three times will "become more intelligent, will recognise the divine being and will go straight to heaven"
[1].Following the breakup of the
Soviet Union, Turkmenistan declared its independence on
October 27,
1991.
Saparmurat Niyazov became the first president of the new republic and still remains the supreme decisionmaker. On
December 28,
1999, Niyazov's term was extended indefinitely by the Mejlis (parliament), which itself had taken office only a week earlier in elections that included only candidates hand-picked by President Niyazov; no opposition candidates were allowed.
President for Life Saparmurat Niyazov, a former bureaucrat of the
Communist Party of the Soviet Union, has ruled Turkmenistan since
1985, when he became head of the local branch of the Communist Party. He retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. The president's party, the
Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, is the only one legally permitted. Political gatherings are illegal unless government sanctioned. All citizens are required to carry internal passports, noting place of residence, and movement into and out of the country, as well as within its borders, is difficult. Turkmenistan is dominated by a pervasive
cult of personality extolling President Niyazov as Turkmenbashi ("Leader of all Turkmen"). His face adorns many everyday objects, from banknotes to bottles of
vodka. The logo of Turkmen national television is his profile. The two books he has written are mandatory readings in schools, and common in motorclubs, and homes. Many institutions are named after his mother. All watches and clocks made must bear his portrait printed on the dial-face. A giant 15-meter (50 feet) tall gold-plated statue of him stands on a rotating pedestal in
Ashgabat, so it will always face into the sun and shine light onto the city. President Niyazov has recently proclaimed that anyone who reads his book
Ruhnama three times will "become more intelligent, will recognise the divine being and will go straight to heaven"
[1].
