Serdar Berdymukhamedov, whose father has run Turkmenistan since 2006, was elected president with practically 73% of votes solid, in accordance with the nation’s electoral fee.
The change of presidents is the primary hereditary succession within the former Soviet area of Central Asia and comes after a dizzying rise via the ranks for the youthful Berdymukhamedov.
Who was within the working?
Voting acquired underway on Saturday within the tightly managed election, which most observers had stated was all however sure to deliver concerning the father-son succession.
There have been 8 different candidates within the election, together with some comparatively unknown low-level public servants. The Turkmen structure permits for a brand new president to be elected for a 7-year time period.
The closest rival in a discipline of 9 candidates was college official Khyrdyr Nunnayev, who garnered 11% of the votes.
Nonetheless, the 40-year-old Serdar had been the overwhelming favourite in Saturday’s election to take over from his father and to steer the gas-rich nation. He has held numerous distinguished authorities posts, most not too long ago as Turkmenistan’s deputy prime minister.
He’s generally referred to by native media as “the son of the nation.” His 64-year-old father Gurbanguly — who plans to remain on as speaker of the higher home — is named Arkadag, or Protector.
The elder Berdymukhamedov has run the nation since 2006
Outcome delayed by days
There had been an sudden await the consequence, as authorities on Sunday stated they wanted extra time to depend the votes.
Turkmenistan usually releases preliminary outcomes the day instantly after the vote, reminiscent of when the elder Berdymukhamedov was reelected with 97% of the vote in 2017.
A cult of persona
The elder Berdymukhamedov introduced the vote final month, saying Turkmenistan needs to be run by youthful individuals.
He has led the nation since he was first appointed performing president when the eccentric Saparmurat Niyazov died in December 2006.
Throughout his rule, Berdymukhamedo established a cult of persona, exhibiting off his bodily health with stunts together with driving sports activities vehicles, goal capturing and weightlifting.
Throughout his time, China changed Russia as the primary purchaser for the nation’s enormous gasoline reserves.
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rc/wd (AFP, AP, Reuters)