Political parties in Turkmenistan

Накратко 16-07-2015

Turkmenistan is a 'presidential republic' in which the president is vested with extensive authority. After independence in 1991, the country was ruled by Saparmurat Niyazov until his death in 2006. His successor, Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, took timid steps towards democratisation and liberalisation. Although there are some welcome developments, the regime is still considered authoritarian. In December 2013, the Turkmens held their first ever multi-party elections.