Editing Politics of Turkmenistan

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Politics of Turkmenistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
The '''politics of [[Turkmenistan]]''' nominally takes place in the framework of a [[presidential system|presidential]] [[republic]], whereby the [[President of Turkmenistan]] is nominally both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]]. However, as of 21 January 2023 a "national leader" was appointed who chairs an independent [[People's Council of Turkmenistan | People's Council]] (''viz.'') with authority to amend the constitution, and who exercises supreme political authority.<ref name=abolishNT>{{citation |url=https://metbugat.gov.tm/newspaper/download?id=9681 |title=Cоздан высший представительный орган народной власти – Халк Маслахаты Туркменистана |publisher=[[Neytralny Turkmenistan]] |date=22 January 2023 |language=ru |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203132214/https://metbugat.gov.tm/newspaper/download?id=9681 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=abolishRFE>{{citation |url=https://rus.azathabar.com/a/32234359.html |title=Халк Маслахаты стал самостоятельным законодательным органом, а парламент однопалатным |publisher=[[RFE/RL]] |language=ru |date=23 January 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203132159/https://rus.azathabar.com/a/32234359.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=pannier /> No true opposition parties are allowed; every registered [[political party]] supports the third and current President [[Serdar Berdimuhamedow]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://enews.fergananews.com/news.php?id=2003&print=1 |title=Turkmenistan: President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov is awarded the status of Arkadag – protector - Ferghana Information agency, Moscow |publisher=Enews.fergananews.com |access-date=2015-09-05 |archive-date=1 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801084810/http://enews.fergananews.com/news.php?id=2003&print=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The country is frequently described as a [[totalitarian]] state.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gore |first1=Hayden |title=Totalitarianism: The Case of Turkmenistan |journal=Human Rights & Human Welfare |date=2007 |issue=Human Rights in Russia and the Former Soviet Republics |pages=107–116 |access-date=29 June 2021 |publisher=[[Josef Korbel School of International Studies]] |location=[[Denver]] |url=https://www.du.edu/korbel/hrhw/researchdigest/russia/totalitarianism.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229235859/https://www.du.edu/korbel/hrhw/researchdigest/russia/totalitarianism.pdf |archive-date=29 February 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Political background==
After 69 years as part of the [[Soviet Union]] (including 67 years as a [[Republics of the Soviet Union|union republic]]), Turkmenistan declared its independence on 27 October 1991.

[[President for life]] [[Saparmurat Niyazov]], a former bureaucrat of the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]], ruled Turkmenistan from 1985, when he became head of the [[Communist Party of the Turkmen SSR]], until his death in 2006.  He ruled with [[Totalitarianism|totalitarian]] control over the country after the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]].  On 28 December 1999 the Mejlis (parliament) declared Niyazov [[President for Life]]. (The Mejlis itself had taken office only a week earlier in elections that included only candidates hand-picked by President Niyazov; no opposition candidates were allowed.)

Prior to 2008, the authorities permitted only a [[One-party state|single political party]], the [[Democratic Party of Turkmenistan]]. Political gatherings are illegal unless government sanctioned.

All citizens must carry [[internal passport]]s, noting place of residence—a practice carried over from the Soviet era.  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 the late president Niyazov as '''Türkmenbaşy''' ("Head Turkmen"), a title he assumed in 1993. His face adorned many everyday objects, from banknotes to bottles of [[vodka]].  The logo of Turkmen national television was his profile. The two books he wrote were mandatory reading in schools, and public servants were quizzed yearly about their knowledge of their contents.  They were also common in shops and homes. Many institutions were named after Niyazov's mother. All watches and clocks made had to bear his portrait printed on the dial-face. A giant 15-meter (50&nbsp;ft) tall gold-plated [[Neutrality Monument|statue of Niyazov]] stood on a rotating pedestal in [[Ashgabat]], so it would always face the sun and shine light onto the city.

A slogan popular in Turkmen propaganda was "Halk! Watan! Türkmenbaşy!" ("People! Motherland! Head of Turkmen!"). Niyazov [[2002 renaming of Turkmen months and days of week|renamed]] the days of the week after members of his family and wrote the new Turkmen national anthem/oath himself.

Foreign companies seeking to exploit Turkmenistan's vast [[natural gas]] resources cooperated with Niyazov since he also controlled access to the natural resources. His book, ''[[Ruhnama]]'' (or ''Rukhnama'', 2001 and 2004), which was revered in Turkmenistan almost like a holy text, has been translated into 41 languages<ref>{{cite news
 |last1            = Moring
 |first1           = Kirsikka
 |title            = The deadly watchful eye of Turkmenistan's holy book
 |url              = http://www.hs.fi/english/article/The+deadly+watchful+eye+of+Turkmenistans+holy+book/1135234545760
 |newspaper        = Helsingin Sanomat
 |edition          = INternational Edition - Foreign
 |location         = Helsinki
 |publication-date = 2008-02-29
 |access-date      = 2014-04-29
 |quote            = Companies are required to collaborate in the personality cult. This is why Ruhnama, "The Book of Souls" written by the now dead dictator Sarparmurat Nijazov, has to be translated into the language of the company's country of origin as a way of closing a deal. [...] The book praising the dictator has been translated into 41 different languages.
 |archive-date     = 9 August 2014
 |archive-url      = https://web.archive.org/web/20140809130456/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/The+deadly+watchful+eye+of+Turkmenistans+holy+book/1135234545760
 |url-status       = dead
}}</ref>
{{as of | 2008 | lc = on}} and distributed for free among major international libraries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tagesspiegel-berlin.de/weltspiegel/nachrichten/personenkult/71702.asp
 |title=Tagesspiegel-berlin.de |website=www.tagesspiegel-berlin.de |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327082617/http://www.tagesspiegel-berlin.de/weltspiegel/nachrichten/personenkult/71702.asp
 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Niyazov once proclaimed that anyone who reads this book three times will "become more intelligent, will recognise the divine being and will go straight to heaven".<ref>https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060320/od_afp/turkmenistanliteraturepoliticsreligionoffbeat_060320121440;_ylt=AsRXhh7.6MyFPUb5Lk3xIDugOrgF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA-- {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

After Niyazov's death, Deputy Prime Minister [[Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow]] became acting president, and was elected president in his own right on 11 February 2007 in elections condemned by international observers as fraudulent. On 20 March, in a decision of significant symbolic weight in the ongoing rejection of Niyazov's personality cult, he abolished the power of the president to rename any landmarks, institutions, or cities.

After the death of Saparmurat Niyazov Turkmenistan's leadership made tentative moves to open up the country. Berdimuhamedow repealed some of Niyazov's most idiosyncratic policies, including banning opera and the circus for being ''"insufficiently Turkmen"''. In education, his government increased basic education from 9 years to 10 years, and restored higher education from two years to five. He has also increased contacts with the West, which is eager for access to the country's natural gas riches - but fears were mounting that the government would revert to Niyazov's draconian style of rule.

The constitution provides for freedom of the press, but the government does not practice it.  The government effectively controls all media outlets.  Only two newspapers, ''{{ill|Adalat (newspaper)|lt=Adalat|tk|Adalat (gazet)}}'' and ''{{ill|Galkynyş (newspaper)|lt=Galkynyş|tk|Galkynyş}}'', both created by presidential decree, and two private internet news portals, [[Mass_media_in_Turkmenistan#Online newspapers|Infoabad and Arzuw]], are nominally independent. Cable television, which existed in the late 1980s, was shut down. Access to foreign media is impeded by internet blockage of roughly one third of the world's [[IP address]]es and a ban on use of [[virtual private network]]s.<ref>{{citation |url=https://turkmen.news/v-turkmenistane-zablokirovali-tret-suschestvuyuschih-ip-adresov/ |title=В Туркменистане заблокировали треть существующих IP-адресов |date=10 October 2022 |language=ru |publisher=Turkmen.News |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203132149/https://turkmen.news/v-turkmenistane-zablokirovali-tret-suschestvuyuschih-ip-adresov/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Turkmen authorities restrict the activities of all but the officially recognized [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodox]] and [[Sunni Islam]] faiths. Religious congregations must register with the government, and individual parishes must have at least 500 members to register. Severe measures deal with religious sects that have not been able to establish official ties of state recognition, especially [[Baptists]], [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]], [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventist]]s, [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness|Hare Krishna]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], and [[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼís]]. Practitioners of these sects have allegedly been harassed, imprisoned, and/or tortured, according to some{{which|date=April 2014}} foreign human-rights advocacy groups.

Corruption continues to be pervasive. Power is concentrated in the presidency; the judiciary is wholly subservient to the régime, with all judges appointed for five-year terms by the president without legislative review. Little has been done to prosecute corrupt officials. With regard to the legal profession, while law practice may be conducted in Turkmenistan in assorted ways (collegium of lawyers, lawyers' association, private practice, etc.),<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/530f03374.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729220855/https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/530f03374.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-07-29|title=Independence of the Legal Profession in Central Asia|website=International Commission of Jurists}}</ref> there is no clear indication as to how certain demographic groups, such as women, have fared in the field.

The [[United Nations General Assembly]] recognized and supported Turkmenistan's "status of [[Neutral country|permanent neutrality]]" on 11 January 1996.<ref>[http://www2.un.int/Countries/Turkmenistan/1161289614.pdf Resolutions Adopted by the General Assembly: Maintenance of International Security and Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218045529/http://www2.un.int/Countries/Turkmenistan/1161289614.pdf |date=18 December 2008 }} (pdf). ''[[United Nations General Assembly]]''. 90th Plenary Meeting. 11 January 1996. ('''Dead Link''')</ref>

===New constitution of 2008===
In September 2008, the [[People's Council of Turkmenistan|People's Council]] unanimously passed a resolution adopting a new constitution. The latter resulted in the abolition of the council and a significant increase in the size of Parliament in December 2008. The constitution also enables the formation of multiple political parties. President [[Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow]] has stated that "The new constitution corresponds to all international and democratic norms".<ref name="bbc1">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7638102.stm "Turkmenistan takes reformist step"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229132512/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7638102.stm |date=29 December 2008 }}, BBC, 26 September 2008</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/27/world/asia/27turkmenistan.html?ref=world "Eye on Image, Turkmenistan Overhauls Laws"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722131858/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/27/world/asia/27turkmenistan.html?ref=world |date=22 July 2016 }}. ''[[Reuters]]''. The New York Times. 26 September 2008.</ref>

===National Leader appointed 2023===
As of 21 January 2023, President [[Serdar Berdimuhamedow]] appointed his father and predecessor, [[Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow]], chairperson of the reformed [[People's Council of Turkmenistan]] with the title "National Leader of the Turkmen People" ({{langx|tk|türkmen halkynyň Milli Lideri }}).<ref name=abolishNT/><ref name=abolishRFE/><ref name=leader>{{citation |url=https://tdh.gov.tm/ru/post/34440/ukaz-prezidenta-turkmenistana-19 |title=Указ Президента Туркменистана О Председателе Халк Маслахаты Туркменистана |date= 21 January 2023 |language=ru |publisher=Туркменистан сегодня}}</ref><ref name=MilliLider>{{cite news |url=https://tdh.gov.tm/tk/post/34439/turkmenistanyn-prezidentinin-permany-38 |title=Türkmenistanyň Prezidentiniň PERMANY Türkmenistanyň Halk Maslahatynyň Başlygy hakynda |date=21 January 2023 |language=tk |publisher=Türkmenistan Bu gün |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203132217/https://tdh.gov.tm/tk/post/34439/turkmenistanyn-prezidentinin-permany-38 |url-status=live }}</ref> State media referred to the People's Council as the "supreme organ of government authority".<ref name=abolishNT /> Outside observers consider that the presidency has been stripped of all real authority so that it can be transferred to the National Leader, who is now the genuine chief executive of government. One commentator stated that this makes Turkmenistan an "absolute [[monarchy]]."<ref name=pannier>{{citation |url=https://www.intellinews.com/pannier-a-very-turkmen-coup-268157/ |title=PANNIER: A very Turkmen coup |first=Bruce |last=Pannier |date=27 January 2023 |publisher=bne IntelliNews |access-date=27 January 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203132204/https://www.intellinews.com/pannier-a-very-turkmen-coup-268157/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=rferl2>{{citation |url=https://rus.azathabar.com/a/32237729.html |title=«Гурбангулы Бердымухамедов возвёл свою единоличную власть до уровня абсолютной монархии |date=25 January 2023 |publisher=[[RFE/RL]] |language=ru |trans-title=Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow raised is individual authority to the level of absolute monarchy |access-date=27 January 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203132206/https://rus.azathabar.com/a/32237729.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=portret>{{citation |url=https://rus.azathabar.com/a/32237441.html |title=В Туркменистане начали повсеместно развешивать портреты Бердымухамедова-старшего |date=24 January 2023 |publisher=[[RFE/RL]] |language=ru |access-date=27 January 2023 |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127224441/https://rus.azathabar.com/a/32237441.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=podcast>{{citation | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/majlis-podcast-turkmenistan-berdymukhammedov-constitution/32244643.html |title=Turkmenistan: Nice Try, Son |series=Majlis |publisher=[[RFE/RL]] |date=29 January 2023}} podcast (streaming audio)</ref>

====Freedom of association====
Formally, according to the constitution, citizens of Turkmenistan have the right to set up political parties and other public associations, acting within the framework of the constitution and the laws, and public associations and groups of citizens have the right to nominate their candidates in accordance with the election law.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}<!-- Needs a source; also, do we have any sources on how this works in practice?  paper rights, or rights regualarly and freely exercised by the denizens of Turkmenistan? -->

==Current members of the Cabinet of Ministers==
{{Main|Cabinet of Ministers (Turkmenistan)}}

==Leaders of Turkmenistan since 1924==

===Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic (1924–1991)===

====First secretaries of the Turkmen Communist Party====
*[[Ivan Mezhlauk]] (19 November 1924 – 1926) (acting to 20 February 1925)
*[[Shaymardan Ibragimov]] (June 1926 – 1927)
*[[Nikolay Paskutsky]] (1927–1928)
*[[Grigory Aronshtam]] (11 May 1928 – August 1930)
*[[Yakov Popok]] (August 1930 – 15 April 1937)
*[[Anna Muhamedov]] (April – October 1937) (acting)
*[[Yakov Chubin]] (October 1937 – November 1939)
*[[Mikhail Fonin]] (November 1939 – March 1947)
*[[Shaja Batyrov]] (March 1947 – July 1951)
*[[Suhan Babayev]] (July 1951 – 14 December 1958)
*[[Jumadurdy Karayev]] (14 December 1958 – 4 May 1960)
*[[Balysh Ovezov]] (13 June 1960 – 24 December 1969)
*[[Muhammetnazar Gapurow]] (24 December 1969 – 21 December 1985)
*[[Saparmurat Niyazov]] (21 December 1985 – 16 December 1991)

====Chairmen of the Revolutionary Committee====
*[[Gaygysyz Atabayev]] (October 1924 – December 1924)
*[[Nedirbay Aytakov]] (December 1920 – February 1925)

====Chairmen of the Central Executive Committee====
*[[Nedirbay Aytakov]] (20 February 1925 – 21 July 1937)
*[[Batyr Ataýew]] (acting) (August 1937 – October 1937)
*[[:ru:Бабаев, Хивали  |Hyvaly Babaýew]] (October 1937 – 24 July 1938)

====Chairman of the Supreme Soviet====
*[[:ru:Бердыев, Аллаберды |Allaberdi Berdiyev]] (24 July 1938 – 27 July 1938)

====Chairmen of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet====
*[[:ru:Бабаев, Хивали  |Hyvaly Babayev]] (27 July 1938 – 1941)
*[[Allaberdy Berdyev]] (1941 – 6 March 1948)
*[[:ru:Сарыев, Акмамед |Akmamed Saryyev]] (6 March 1948 – 30 March 1959)
*[[:ru:Байрамов, Нурберды |Nurberdi Bayramov]] (30 March 1959 – 26 March 1963)
*[[:ru:Клычев, Аннамухаммед |Annamuhamet Gylyjow]] (26 March 1963 – 15 December 1978)
*[[:ru:Язкулиев, Баллы |Bally Ýazgulyýevyç Ýazgulyýew]] (15 December 1978 – 13 August 1988)
*[[Roza Atamuradovna Bazarova]] (13 August 1988 – 19 January 1990)

====Chairman of the Supreme Soviet====
*[[Saparmurat Niyazov]] (19 January 1990 – 2 November 1990)

===Presidents===
*[[Saparmurat Niyazov]] (2 November 1990 – 21 December 2006) (from 22 October 1993 ''Türkmenbaşy'')
*[[Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow]] (21 December 2006 – 19 March 2022) (acting until 14 February 2007)
*[[Serdar Berdimuhamedow]] (19 March 2022 – present)

===National Leader===
*[[Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow]] (21 January 2023 - present)

==List of heads of government of Turkmenistan (1925–1991)==

===Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic (1924–1991)===

====Chairmen of the Council of People's Commissars====
*[[Gaygysyz Atabayev]] (20 February 1925 – 8 July 1937)
*[[:ru:Худайбергенов, Аитбай |Aitbaý Hudaýbergenow]] (October 1937 – 17 October 1945)
*[[Suhan Babayev]] (17 October 1945 – 15 March 1946)

====Chairmen of the Council of Ministers====
*[[Suhan Babayev]] (15 March 1946 – 14 July 1951)
*[[Balysh Ovezov]] (14 July 1951 – 14 January 1958) (first time)
*[[Jumadurdy Karayev]] (14 January 1958 – 20 January 1959)
*[[Balysh Ovezov]] (20 January 1959 – 13 June 1960) (second time)
*[[:ru:Анналиев, Абды Анналиевич |Abdy Annalyýewyç Annalyýew]] (13 June 1960 – 26 March 1963)
*[[Muhammetnazar Gapurow]] (26 March 1963 – 25 December 1969)
*[[:ru:Оразмухамедов, Ораз Назарович |Oraz Nazarowyç Orazmuhammedow]] (25 December 1969 – 17 December 1975)
*[[:ru:Язкулиев, Баллы |Bally Ýazgulyýewyç Ýazgulyýew]] (17 December 1975 – 15 December 1978)
*[[:ru:Каррыев, Чары Союнович |Çary Soýunowyç Garryýew]] (15 December 1978 – 26 March 1985)
*[[Saparmurat Niyazov]] (26 March 1985 – 4 January 1986)
*[[:ru:Ходжамурадов, Аннамурад |Annamurat Hojamyradowyç Hojamyradow]] (4 January 1986 – 17 November 1989)
*[[Han Ahmedow]] (5 December 1989 – 18 May 1992)

Under the 1992 constitution, the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. Niyazov added the post of chairman of the [[Supreme Soviet]] in January 1990, and was elected as the country's first president that October.  He was the only candidate in Turkmenistan's first presidential elections in 1992.  A 1994 plebiscite extended his term to 2002, and Parliament extended his term indefinitely in 1999.

After Niyazov's death, Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Health [[Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow]] took over, despite the fact that [[Öwezgeldi Ataýew]], the Chairman of the Parliament of Turkmenistan, would be the next in line in the order of succession (allegedly because the prosecutor-general had initiated investigations against Ataýew). The president appoints the deputy chairmen of the cabinet of ministers.

[[2007 Turkmenistan presidential election|A presidential election to replace Niyazov]] was held on 11 February 2007.

==Legislative branch==
{{See also|Assembly of Turkmenistan|People's Council of Turkmenistan}}
As of January 2023, Turkmenistan's Parliament ("Assembly", {{langx|tk|Mejlis}}) is unicameral, with a 125-seat single chamber. The Assembly is [[direct election|popularly elected]].

===History===
The 1992 constitution established two parliamentary bodies, a unicameral [[People's Council of Turkmenistan|People's Council]] or Halk Maslahaty (supreme legislative body of up to 2,500 delegates, some of whom were elected by popular vote and some of whom were appointed; met at least yearly) and a unicameral [[Assembly of Turkmenistan|Assembly]] or Mejlis (originally 50 seats, eventually expanded to 125, whose members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms).

In late 2003 legislation was passed reducing the powers of the Mejlis and making the Halk Maslahaty the supreme legislative organ. The Halk Maslahaty could at that point legally dissolve the Mejlis, and the president was now able to participate in the Mejlis as its supreme leader. The Mejlis could no longer adopt or amend the constitution, or announce [[referendum]]s or its elections. Since President [[Saparmurat Niyazov]] was both the "Chairman for Life" of the Halk Maslahaty and the supreme leader of the Mejlis, the 2003 law had the effect of making him the sole authority of both the executive and legislative branches of government.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/turkmenistan/| title = CIA The World Factbook| access-date = 24 January 2021| archive-date = 10 January 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210110134553/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/turkmenistan/| url-status = live}}</ref>

Following Niyazov's death, in 2008, President [[Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow]] introduced a new [[Constitution of Turkmenistan|constitution]] under which the Halk Maslahaty was reformed into an "Elders Council" with no legislative authority, and nominal legislative authority reverted to a unicameral Mejlis.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turkmenistan approves new constitution to increase president's powers|url=http://english.pravda.ru/news/world/26-09-2008/106469-turkmenistan-0/#.U9LH7ahT6j4|access-date=2014-07-25|newspaper=[[Pravda]]|date=2008-09-26|archive-date=29 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729184950/http://english.pravda.ru/news/world/26-09-2008/106469-turkmenistan-0/#.U9LH7ahT6j4|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2017, President [[Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow|Berdimuhamedow]] reorganized the Council of Elders into a new People's Council.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-elders-council-transformed-people-s-gurbanguly/28784699.html|title=Turkmenistan's Council of Elders To Be Transformed into People's Council|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=10 October 2017 |access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609000141/https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-elders-council-transformed-people-s-gurbanguly/28784699.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020 the Turkmenistan Parliament adopted a constitutional amendment creating an upper chamber and thus making the Parliament bicameral.<ref name=halk2>{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmen-leader-signs-into-law-constitutional-changes-critics-fear-secures-lifetime-post/30857644.html|title=President For Life? Turkmen Leader Signs Mysterious Constitutional Changes into Law|date=25 September 2020|publisher=[[RFE/RL]]|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925142910/https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmen-leader-signs-into-law-constitutional-changes-critics-fear-secures-lifetime-post/30857644.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The People's Council became the upper chamber.  Of its 56 members, 48 are [[indirect election|indirectly elected]] and 8 are appointed by the president. Together with the previous unicameral parliamentary body, the 125-seat [[Assembly of Turkmenistan|Mejlis]], as the lower chamber, the Parliament is now called the National Council ({{langx|tk|Milli Geňeş}}).

Election to the upper chamber was held 28 March 2021.<ref name=halk3>{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-senate-election-voters-two-hours-opposition/31173803.html|title=Turkmen Voters Given Two Hours To Cast Ballots in Senate Election|date=28 March 2021|publisher=[[RFE/RL]]|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521085854/https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-senate-election-voters-two-hours-opposition/31173803.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=dw>{{cite news|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/turkmenistan-vpervye-v-istorii-izbral-verhnjuju-palatu-parlamenta/a-57032707|title=Туркменистан впервые в истории избрал верхнюю палату парламента|language=Russian|date=28 March 2021|publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]]|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523011532/https://www.dw.com/ru/turkmenistan-vpervye-v-istorii-izbral-verhnjuju-palatu-parlamenta/a-57032707|url-status=live}}</ref> Elections to the Mejlis were last held 25 March 2018.<ref name=mejlis2018>{{cite news|url=https://www.intellinews.com/turkmenistan-votes-for-a-new-rubber-stamp-parliament-138871/|title=Turkmenistan votes for a new 'rubber-stamp' parliament|date=26 March 2018|publisher=bne IntelliNews|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415024116/https://www.intellinews.com/turkmenistan-votes-for-a-new-rubber-stamp-parliament-138871/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=rlmejlis>{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/qishloq-ovozi-turkmenistan-berdymukhammedov-the-second/29115690.html|title=Turkmen Elections Look Like Next Step Toward Dynasty|publisher=[[RFE/RL]]|date=22 March 2018|first=Bruce|last=Pannier|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415033439/https://www.rferl.org/a/qishloq-ovozi-turkmenistan-berdymukhammedov-the-second/29115690.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2023 both chambers of parliament proposed to abolish the Halk Maslahaty as a legislative organ, to reform it as an independent representative body, and to place all legislative authority in a unicameral [[Assembly of Turkmenistan|Assembly (Mejlis)]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/ru/post/69138/sovmestnoe-postanovlenie-halk-maslahaty-i-medzhlisa-milli-gengesha-turkmenistana |title=Совместное Постановление Халк Маслахаты и Меджлиса Милли Генгеша Туркменистана |date=11 January 2023 |language=Russian |publisher=«Туркменистан: золотой век» |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203132152/https://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/ru/post/69138/sovmestnoe-postanovlenie-halk-maslahaty-i-medzhlisa-milli-gengesha-turkmenistana |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/ru/post/69136/postanovlenie-halk-maslahaty-milli-gengesha-turkmenistana-4 |title=Постановление Халк Маслахаты Милли Генгеша Туркменистана, О создании Конституционной комиссии по разработке и обобщению предложений в связи с внесением изменений и дополнений в Конституцию Туркменистана и утверждении её состава |date=11 January 2023 |language=Russian |publisher=«Туркменистан: золотой век» |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203132152/https://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/ru/post/69136/postanovlenie-halk-maslahaty-milli-gengesha-turkmenistana-4 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/ru/post/69140/ukaz-prezidenta-turkmenistana-16 |title=Указ Президента Туркменистана О проведении совместного заседания палат Милли Генгеша Туркменистана с участием представителей общественности |date=11 January 2023 |language=Russian |publisher=«Туркменистан: золотой век» |access-date=22 January 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203132206/https://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/ru/post/69140/ukaz-prezidenta-turkmenistana-16 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hronikatm.com/2023/01/rehulk-maslahaty/ |title=Г.Бердымухамедов снова намерен изменить Конституцию, чтобы вернуть однопалатный парламент и Халк Маслахаты |date=12 January 2023 |publisher=[[Mass_media_in_Turkmenistan#Online newspapers|Chronicles of Turkmenistan]]|language=ru}}</ref> This proposal was adopted in a joint session of the National Council on 21 January 2023.<ref name=abolishNT /><ref name=abolishRFE /> 

===De facto authority===
Outside observers consider the Turkmen legislature to be a [[Rubber stamp (politics)|rubber stamp]] parliament.<ref name=mejlis2018 /><ref name=rlmejlis /><ref name=atlant>{{cite web|url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/passing-the-baton-in-turkmenistan/|title=Passing the baton in Turkmenistan|first=Victoria|last=Clement|date=21 October 2019|publisher=Atlantic Council|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=8 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408040848/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/passing-the-baton-in-turkmenistan/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Turkmen legislature is described as under the "full control" of the [[President of Turkmenistan|president]].<ref name=explain>{{cite news |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/explaining-the-evolution-of-turkmenistans-assembly-bodies/ |title=Explaining the Evolution of Turkmenistan's Assembly Bodies |date=5 May 2021 |publisher=The Diplomat |first=Rustam |last=Muhamedov |access-date=6 May 2021 |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506205831/https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/explaining-the-evolution-of-turkmenistans-assembly-bodies/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Political parties and elections==
{{elect|Democratic Party of Turkmenistan|Elections in Turkmenistan}}

[[Turkmenistan]] was until recently a [[one-party state]] wherein only the [[Democratic Party of Turkmenistan]] ({{Lang|tk|Türkmenistanyň Demokratik partiýasynyň}}) was legally allowed to contest elections. Other parties are now formally allowed to exist following the adoption of the new Constitution.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Turkmenistan - Trade|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Turkmenistan|access-date=2020-12-24|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|archive-date=6 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006011508/https://www.britannica.com/place/Turkmenistan|url-status=live}}</ref>

There have been political parties and opposition groups in the past—a group named [[Agzybirlik]] (Unity) was banned in January 1990. Its members formed the [[Party for Democratic Development]] which was itself banned in 1991. This led a coalition for democratic reform named [[Gengesh]] (Conference).

The latest opposition party, the [[Republican Party of Turkmenistan]] ({{Lang|tk|Türkmenistanyň Respublikan partiýasynyň}}), operates in exile. Since all opposition was banned within Turkmenistan, so it has been forced to form and operate from abroad.

Below is the '''list of parliamentary parties in Turkmenistan''':
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- "
! colspan=3 | Name
! Abbr.
! Leader/Chairman
! Ideology
! [[Assembly of Turkmenistan|Mejlis]]
! Political position
|-
! style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Turkmenistan}}" |
| [[File:TDP_logo.svg|center|60x60px]]
| [[Democratic Party of Turkmenistan]]<br /><small>''Türkmenistanyň Demokratik Partiýasy''</small>
| TDP
| [[Ata Serdarov]]
| {{nowrap|[[Turkmens|Turkmen]] [[nationalism]]<br />[[Social conservatism]]}}
|{{Composition bar|65|125|{{party color|Democratic Party of Turkmenistan}}}}
| [[Big tent]]
|-
! style="background-color: {{party color|Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan}}" |
|
| [[Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan]]<br /><small>''Türkmenistanyň agrar partiýasy''</small>
| TAP
| [[:tk:Rejep Bazarow|Rejep Bazarow]]
| [[Agrarianism]]<br />[[Statism]]
|{{Composition bar|24|125|{{party color|Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan}}}}
|Big tent 
|-
! style="background-color: {{party color|Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan}}" |
|
| [[Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan]]<br /><small>''Türkmenistanyň Senagatçylar we Telekeçiler partiýasy''</small>
| TSTP
| {{nowrap|[[:tk:Saparmyrat Owganow|Saparmyrat Owganow]]}}
| [[Industrialisation|Industrialism]]<br />[[Statism]]
|{{Composition bar|18|125|{{party color|Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan}}}}
|Big tent
|-
|}


==Administrative divisions==
Turkmenistan is divided into five [[province]]s ({{langx|tk|welaýatlar, singular welaýat}}): [[Ahal Province]], [[Balkan Province]], [[Daşoguz Province]], [[Lebap Province]], and [[Mary Province]]. The capital city, [[Ashgabat]], is a separate entity and though a city has the legal status of a province ({{langx|tk|welaýat hukukly}}) under the Turkmen constitution.

A list of administrative divisions as of 5 January 2018, can be seen on the OpenStreetMap wiki.<ref>[https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Districts_in_Turkmenistan "List of administrative divisions of Turkmenistan"], OpenStreetMap wiki</ref>

==Foreign policy==
{{One source section|date=August 2023}}
Foreign policy of Turkmenistan is based on the status of permanent positive neutrality recognized by the UN General Assembly Resolution on Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan on 12 December 1995.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070705230435/http://presidentniyazov.tripod.com/id44.html "UN General Assembly Resolution on Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan"]</ref>
Articles on Turkmenistan's foreign policy as a neutral state:
*Regional Strategy of Ashgabat<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070705230241/http://presidentniyazov.tripod.com/id41.html "Regional Strategy of Ashgabat"]</ref>
*Neutral Factor of Turkmenistan<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070705230409/http://presidentniyazov.tripod.com/id26.html "Neutral Factor of Turkmenistan"]</ref>
*The World Recognized Turkmenistan's Neutrality 9 Years Ago<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070705230318/http://presidentniyazov.tripod.com/id33.html "The World Recognized Turkmenistan's Neutrality 9 Years Ago"]</ref>

==Domestic policy==

===Restrictions on communication===

Despite the launch of Turkmenistan's first [[Communications satellite|communication satellite]]—[[TürkmenÄlem 52°E / MonacoSAT]]—in April 2015, the [[Government of Turkmenistan|Turkmen government]] banned all [[satellite dish]]es in Turkmenistan the same month. The statement issued by the government indicated that all existing satellite dishes would have to be removed or destroyed—despite the communications receiving antennas having been legally installed since 1995—in an effort by the government to fully block access of the population to many "hundreds of independent international media outlets" which are currently accessible in the country only through satellite dishes, including all leading international news channels in different languages. The main target of this campaign is [[Radio Azatlyk]], the Turkmen-language service of [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]].<ref name=at20150422>{{cite news |last1=Forrester |first1=Chris |title=Satellite dishes banned in Turkmenistan |url=http://advanced-television.com/2015/04/22/satellite-dishes-banned-in-turkmenistan/ |access-date=23 April 2015 |work=Advanced Television |date=22 April 2015 |archive-date=23 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423192643/http://advanced-television.com/2015/04/22/satellite-dishes-banned-in-turkmenistan/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Internet access is filtered and websites to which the government objects are blocked.  Blocked websites include opposition news media, YouTube, many social media including Facebook, and encrypted communications applications. Use of [[virtual private networks]] to circumvent censorship is prohibited.<ref name=access1>{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-increases-crackdown-on-internet-access-as-living-standards-continue-downward-spiral/30846977.html|title=Turkmenistan Increases Crackdown on Internet Access As Living Standards Continue Downward Spiral|date=19 September 2020|first=Bruce|last=Pannier|publisher=RFE/RL|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=28 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328050049/https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-increases-crackdown-on-internet-access-as-living-standards-continue-downward-spiral/30846977.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=access2>{{cite news|url=https://eurasianet.org/turkmenistan-internet-welcome-or-no-vpns-allowed-here|title=Turkmenistan: Internet welcome, or no VPNs allowed here|date=23 March 2021|publisher=Eurasianet|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=24 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324213713/https://eurasianet.org/turkmenistan-internet-welcome-or-no-vpns-allowed-here|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=access3>{{cite web|url=https://caravanistan.com/turkmenistan/phone-internet/|title=Phone and internet in Turkmenistan|publisher=Caravanistan|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419023650/https://caravanistan.com/turkmenistan/phone-internet/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==International organization participation==
Turkmenistan is affiliated to the [[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]], [[Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council|EAPC]], [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development|EBRD]], [[United Nations Economic Commission for Europe|ECE]], [[Economic Cooperation Organization|ECO]], [[United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific|ESCAP]], [[Food and Agriculture Organization|FAO]], [[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|IBRD]], [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|ICRM]], [[Islamic Development Bank|IDB]], [[International Finance Corporation|IFC]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|IFRCS]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]], [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]], [[International Maritime Organization|IMO]], [[Intelsat]] (nonsignatory user), [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]], [[International Organization for Migration|IOM]] (observer), [[International Organization for Standardization|ISO]] (correspondent), [[International Telecommunication Union|ITU]], [[Non-Aligned Movement|NAM]], [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|OIC]], [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons|OPCW]], [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]], [[Partnership for Peace|PFP]], [[United Nations|UN]], [[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development|UNCTAD]], [[UNESCO]], [[Universal Postal Union|UPU]], [[World Customs Organization|WCO]], [[World Federation of Trade Unions|WFTU]], [[World Health Organization|WHO]], [[World Intellectual Property Organization|WIPO]], [[World Meteorological Organization|WMO]], [[World Tourism Organization|WToO]], [[World Trade Organization|WTO]] (observer)

==See also==
*[[State Security Council of Turkmenistan]]
*[[Republican Party of Turkmenistan]]
*[[Annaberdi Kakabaýew]]
*[[Şemşat Annagylyjowa]]
*[[Gurbannazar Ashirov]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tmrepublican.org/ Republican Party of Turkmenistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030125207/http://www.tmrepublican.org/ |date=30 October 2020 }}
*{{cite web|url=https://cabar.asia/en/turkmenistan-regression-of-the-power|title=Turkmenistan: Regression of the Power|author=Serdar Aytakov|date=2023-04-24|publisher=Central Asian Bureau for Analytical Reporting|access-date=2024-12-01}}

{{Turkmenistani political parties}}
{{Turkmenistan topics}}
{{Asia topic|Politics of}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics of Turkmenistan}}
[[Category:Politics of Turkmenistan| ]]