Serdar, the son of The current ruler of Turkmenistan, Berdymukhamedov, became the new president almost "on the set". BerdyMukhamedov, the elder who has ruled the country for the past 15 years, said on Feb. 11 that he would leave office and "give way to young people." The former Soviet Union's most closed country will hold an early presidential election on March 12. >>> he was nominated as a presidential candidate? Russian experts believe that "it is very likely" ...
Why did "Arkadag" or "patron saint of the Turkmen people" Berdymukhamedov decide to take such steps now?
Son - heir
For the past five years, Berdymukhamedov has been grooming his son as heir, appointing him to various important positions in the government. Apparently, the nomination of Berdymukhamedov Jr. is no surprise to political analysts either.
Serdar Berdymukhamedov
Edward Lemon, a professor at Texas A&M University and head of the Oxos Central Asia Research Association, told the BBC: "We've been discussing this possibility for the past few months. The aim is to retain power within the family, and this father-son transfer of power will create a long transition period that gives the new president time to consolidate his power. ”
Serdar has appeared in the public eye and media even more recently than his father: visiting countries around the country, speaking on mainstream television, and making international visits.
This increase in public image and activity is also seen by experts as part of a smooth transition of power.
Transition of power
The elder Berdymukhamedov, 64, hinted on Feb. 11 that he would retire soon, though not publicly named his son.
At the same time, the President announced that he would henceforth focus his energies on the chairmanship of the Council of People's Commissars. The remaining honorary or tenured positions are not clear at this time.
Figure | Berdymukhamedov in his arms
As early as 2019, the president's entourage broke the news that the elder BerdyMukhamedov was about to leave office. At the time, the president "disappeared" from public view for nearly a month. News of his worsening diabetes also spread more and more widely.
The news of the departure of the elder BerdyMukhamedov also coincided with the age at which his son Serdar turned 40, the age at which citizens could run for president.
Relationship with father
Analysts say Scheidal has no real rivals in the election. The only intriguing thing is how Serdar would be independent and autonomous from his father.
"I wonder how Serdar will position himself. After all, his father came to power from a marginal position, abolished his predecessor's cult of personality, and established his own cult of personality. Edward Lemon said.
Figure | Niyazov Monument in Ashgabat
Turkmenistan political scientist Serdar Aitakov (pseudonym) agrees: "Serdar is gradually creating his own team of managers and advisers, but so far it has not done much propaganda and has not yet translated it into a force against the 'old top' and 'his party'. It is unclear to what extent his father would have allowed him to be independent and autonomous. ”
Former dentist Berdymukhamedov was appointed Minister of Health in 1997 and Deputy Prime Minister in 2001. After the death of former President Niazov, he became acting president.
According to the Constitution, Speaker of parliament, Atayev, was supposed to act as president, but was deprived of this right because he was prosecuted by the Attorney-General's Office.
Examples of neighbouring countries
Developments in neighboring countries, namely the failed attempts to transfer power to the karimov family, Uzbekistan's first president, and the ouster of Kazakhstan's first president, Nazarbayev, may also have contributed to the imminent departure of the elder Berdymukhamedov.
Experts believe that the elder Berdymukhamedov may initially rule with his son, but will gradually retreat into the background as a "guarantor" and "adviser".
Edward Lemon said: "It will be interesting to see how father and son govern the country together. We see a similar example in Singapore: Lee Kuan Yew became 'Cabinet Minister' after the transfer of power to his successor. ”
Aitakov agrees. He said Berdymukhamedov would gradually and consciously withdraw from his position as "leader of the country or father of the nation" and "guardian of tradition, sovereignty and independence."<
About Scherdahl
Serdar's political career developed rapidly, and although he began his political career in 2008 (the Turkish Embassy in Russia), he was still a "dark horse".
Earlier, Turkish elites made it clear that they were not ready to accept Serdar as an unconditional leader, Aitakov said. This is largely the reason why the elder BerdyMukhamedov was elected chairman of the upper house of parliament to "ensure that the son is protected from all kinds of opposition", including "maintaining his influence for his own safety".
Scherdar was the only son of Berdymuhamedov, and the two sisters were married and settled abroad (roughly in England and France). Scherdar himself is married and has four children (1 son and 3 daughters).
Children in Central Asian politics or nepotism
Nepotism is common in Central Asia, where the president's children often hold senior positions in government.
Daliga, the only woman among Kazakhstan's billionaires and the eldest daughter of the country's first president, Nazarbayev, is a member of parliament.
In Kyrgyzstan, the children of two former presidents, Bakiyev and Akayev, are politicians. Maxim Bakiyev is director of the Central Committee for Investment and Innovative Development, while Belmette Akayevva and Aydar Akayev both ran for president in 2005.
Gurinara Karimova, the eldest daughter of Uzbekistan's first president, was also active in political life and was once considered her father's "successor." But after her father's death, Gurinara was accused of corruption and attempts to seize power. In 2017, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, which was later reduced to 5 years of restriction of freedom. >>> Karimova wrote to the president that he would exchange $686 million for his freedom
Figure | Gulinara, who appeared frequently in the media before 2013
The children of President Rahmon of Tajikistan also have two political careers, his son Rustam is the mayor of Dushanbe, and the eldest daughter, Ozoda, is now the chief of staff of the president.
Source: Asia Express
Compile: Vika