President of Turkmenistan. Gurbanguly Myalikgulyevich Berdimuhamedov

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov came to power in 2007. Subordinates call it "arcade" - a cartridge. In addition, he is the prime minister and commander in chief of the country's armed forces. Lawmakers also awarded him the title “Hero of Turkmenistan”. The president is limited only by his own inexperience, lack of independent power, the mentality of the population and Russian influence.

Berdymukhammedov is a complex combination of the Soviet bureaucrat, the traditional Turkmen tribal elite and intelligence, which psychologically distinguishes him from his predecessor. Strong family ties and a professional work style suggest that he has the intention to achieve something in Turkmenistan while he is at his post and is open to new ideas. However, his incompetence and desire to act gradually indicate that this process will be very long.

short biography

Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov was born in 1957 in the village of Babarap, Geok-Tepa District, Ashkhabad Region, Turkmen SSR. The President differs from his predecessor in many ways, especially in origin. Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, whose family was large, conservative, but atheistic, seems to have absorbed traditional family values. His parents at the same time were faithful to their ethnic Turkmen roots and loyal to the Soviet state. In the official biography published after taking office, his father is credited with raising his son in moderation and balance, encouraging him to make informed decisions.

National traditions are shown in respect for the wife. As is customary in Asian countries, almost nothing is reported about the president’s wife and his children. According to rumors, in his life there are two women - a Russian (possibly a lover, but this is not confirmed) and a Turkmen. Some argue that their marriage was arranged by agreement, but it is noteworthy that since taking office, Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, whose wife is from Mary Region, appointed many officials from there, as well as from Geok-Dep.

In 1979, he graduated from the Dental Department of the Turkmen State Medical Institute and began working as a dentist in a rural outpatient clinic. By 1987, Gurbanguly gradually climbed the career ladder and went to Moscow to study therapeutic dentistry for 3 years. In Ashgabat, he returned to the post of lecturer at the Turkmen Medical Institute in 1990. In 1995, he joined the Ministry of Health, and two years later he headed it. In April 2001, Berdymukhammedov became deputy prime minister responsible for education, science and health.

New president

Turkmenistan was left without Saparmurat Niyazov on December 21, 2006. Berdymukhammedov was appointed interim Security Council. This decision surprised many in the international community, as well as in the country itself. It has been suggested that the powerful Turkmen security service preferred a politically weak person. According to rumors circulating among emigrants, Berdymukhammedov is the illegitimate son of Niyazov. This is possible in terms of age differences, but is considered unlikely.

On February 11, 2007, Berdymukhammedov was elected head of state, receiving almost 90% of the vote. After he took office, the diaspora and many citizens hoped for easing the total control that surrounded the former president of Turkmenistan. Some improvements were made: Berdymukhammedov restored the pensions abolished by his predecessor, relaxed restrictions on traveling abroad, and restored the 10th grade of a secondary school that was abolished by Niyazov. However, in the first year of his tenure as head of state, there were no signs that he would pursue real political and economic reforms that could lead to the democratization of the country.

At the end of 2007, he replaced some of the portraits of Niyazov, which was a striking feature of Ashgabat, with his own. This gave rise to speculation that the new president, imitating his predecessor, began to impose his own personality cult. In addition, Berdymukhammedov continued Niyazov’s ambitious construction projects, including the construction of a new seaport and airport in the city of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea coast. On February 13, 2012, he was elected to a second term amid widespread criticism that the election was accompanied by fraud.

Impressions of the President

Some of the foreign guests who met with the newly elected president, after talking with him, came to the conclusion that he was not as talented as they say. However, his ability to navigate complex subjects may be limited by the quality of the reference materials provided to him and the degree of his familiarity with the topic. Those who worked with Berdymukhammedov when he was the Minister of Health say he was a professional conversationalist, knowledgeable, positive and open to constructive ideas and suggestions, especially in areas such as health and education. There were also times when, like other Turkmen officials, he was isolated for a long time from foreign scientific and technical developments and did not understand the essence of the proposals of non-governmental organizations or aid groups. True, when the host of the project tried to explain its essence in a more understandable language, the president complained that they speak with him like a child.

Personal qualities

Rumor had it that Berdymukhammedov’s son had hit a pedestrian while racing in his car on the Archabil highway in Ashgabat. The president is still offended by a senior MNS official responsible for temporarily detaining the offender. Although there is no evidence of this, it is unlikely that his son spent much time in prison. Now he lives abroad.

They also talk about the president’s intolerance towards government officials who do not respect subordination or are not quite decent. According to rumors, he fired two women for whispering and laughing when he entered the room. He requires female civil servants to cover their arms and legs and does not hesitate to criticize their choice of clothing. Berdymukhammedov has a reputation as a very demanding leader who instills fear in his employees. When he is angry, he kicks everything and shouts, but not with his direct subordinates, he is more restrained.

Also, his personal qualities are evidenced by the fact that the plane of the President of Turkmenistan Niyazov was sold to the leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. Berdymukhammedov did not want to fly on it - this is said to be a bad omen.

The illegitimate son of Niyazov?

Berdymukhammedov broke all records, having survived three government crises while working in the cabinet. In 2003, Niyazov publicly scolded him for not being able to upgrade the skills of new doctors and teachers, but he kept his post. In 2004, the former president of Turkmenistan once again publicly criticized him and fined him three months in salary for assuming wage arrears for medical and educational workers, but he remained in his office again. It is also said that before Niyazov’s death, his personal flock was struck by an epidemic that killed many cattle. The veterinarian was imprisoned, but the president did not deprive Berdymukhammedov of his post. There is no explanation or theory about how he succeeded, except for hearing that he is the illegitimate son of Turkmenbashi. Niyazov could become his father at the age of 17. Most likely, Berdymukhammedov’s intellectual abilities and his political instinct allowed him to take the necessary steps to maintain his position.

Revival after the Golden Age

Officially, the “golden age of Turkmens” by Niyazov has not yet ended (it should cover the entire XXI century). Nevertheless, the government under Berdymukhammedov put forward the slogan “new revival” to characterize the “new” era. True, it is not clear why the country needs reconstruction after the Golden Age. As the Turkmen press explained in the early days of Berdymukhammedov’s reign, the nation “needs a new rebirth after the people suffered the sudden demise of Turkmenbashi, the great leader. It is required for those who believe that the people are left without their “caring father”. In addition, the practice of restoring the president’s ancestral village, begun by Niyazov, continued under Berdymukhammedov.

Cult of personality

As for the replacement of deified members of the Niyazov family, it seems that the President of Turkmenistan decided to spare in this matter. Only Malikguly, the father of Berdymukhammedov, plays an active role in creating a new national idea. Attempts by government ideologists to create a second Gurbansoltan-Ece (the cult name of the mother of Turkmenbashi) from the mother of Berdymukhammedov failed. In local schools, Niyazov’s faces were replaced by posters with the new leader of the nation, depicting his life path, academic achievements, including a diploma from the Turkmen Medical Institute and a PhD in dentistry from the Moscow Medical Institute.

The President, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, created his own personality cult and does not feel any discomfort in this regard. After his election of the Democratic Party, supporting the concept of one strong ruler, the task was to create a new leader. Activists across Turkmenistan began to praise the president. The omnipresence of Berdymukhammedov is planted with his portraits hanging throughout Ashgabat and the rest of the country. Photographs of the president are placed on billboards installed at major intersections, in conference rooms of government buildings, in banquet rooms of state restaurants and hotels. On Turkmenistan Airlines flights, a photo of Berdymukhammedov hangs in front of the cabin. His portraits are also in the local gym, where the president is engaged in karate. In June 2010, he chaired the opening ceremony of the central mosque of Mary, which was named after him.

Indefatigable writer

The power of the head of state is versatile - he is the main expert on all issues, from urban planning to medicine. Books of the president of Turkmenistan are regularly published. Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov writes about the Akhal-Teke breed of horses, medicinal plants and the “era of a new revival” - the period of his reign.

State television channels show how he chairs the government almost every day, where he appears to rigorously evaluate the work of each deputy head of the cabinet. He is also often shown on horseback, engaged in other sports, during the inspection of many new buildings that are underway throughout the country. Television presenters and commentators attribute almost every positive news to the account of “our dear president”. When the first South Korean buses appeared on the streets of Ashgabat, the inscription "Gift of the esteemed president" was inscribed on them.

The achievements, sayings and resolutions of the President of Turkmenistan are often at the center of speeches by Turkmen officials, even if the event has little to do with him.

The limits of narcissism

So far, the self-glorification of Berdymukhammedov is somewhat limited. Until recently, he did not erect monuments to himself, like his predecessor, and did not print his image on banknotes. True, in 2015, a giant golden statue of Berdymukhammedov, riding a horse on top of a marble cliff, was nevertheless erected. Most private homes and restaurants do not have president posters. The names of the months and days of the week do not bear his name or the names of his relatives, as was the case with Niyazov.

Single Actor Theater

Although there are no doubt people who have an influence on Berdymukhammedov, the government of Turkmenistan is a one- man show . His deputies in the government are extremely respectful to the president at both open and closed meetings. In many ways, they act as its attendants. The President of Turkmenistan literally filled with himself - from weddings and the New Year to everyday activities such as going to the gym. The personality cult will continue to grow, as the Turkmens do not know other models of local governance. One of the signs of strengthening the image of Berdymukhammedov as the only source of power is plans to move some statues of the former president.

Coca-Cola lover

Berdymukhammedov is not as healthy as the state media portray him . He suffers from type 2 diabetes and is likely to have long-term consequences. Given the problems with weight and the addiction to Coca-Cola, such a diagnosis seems plausible.

The President of Turkmenistan drinks only Coca-Cola in small glass bottles. Every few months, a government official from his administration comes to the factory and randomly selects boxes of sweet water. Coca-Cola accounts for 60% of the company's sales in Turkmenistan, mainly because the country's president, a dentist by profession, loves this particular drink.