- Political Structure
- State and political System in Turkmenistan
- Turkmenistan is a democratic, legal, secular state which has supremacy and absoluteness of power on the all its territory, and independently pursues its internal and external policies. The state government is carried out in the form of presidential republic.
Turkmenistan has proclaimed its independence on October 27, 1991. Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazow is the first nation-wide elected President of Turkmenistan. According to the Constitution of sovereign Turkmenistan repeated elections of the President were held on June 21, 1992 when the credentials of Saparmurat Turkmenbashi were reaffirmed. After the first President died on December, 2008 the elections were held on February, 2007 and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was elected as the President of Turkmenistan.
The President of Turkmenistan is the highest official in the country, head of state and executive power. He heads the Cabinet of Ministers – the Turkmenistan Government. The President is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan.
The Mejlis (Parliament) is a permanent legislative body in Turkmenistan. The Mejlis consists of 125 deputies elected for the term of 5 years.
The Cabinet of Ministers is a collegial executive and administrative body which directs all executive authorities and agencies of Turkmenistan and promotes their coordinated activity. The President of Turkmenistan heads the Cabinet of Ministers.
Hakimliks accomplish executive power in welayats (provincies), towns and etraps (counties). Hakims are local representatives of the President of the country. They are accountable to the President and the Cabinet of Ministers.
Gengeshi is the representative body of governmental power on the territory of a city, etrap, settlement or village, which has functions of local self government and elected for the term of 5 years.
Judicial power in Turkmenistan is entrusted to judges. The judicial power is carried out by the Supreme Court, the Supreme Economic Court, military courts, etc.
Large public organizations such as the National center of labour unions, Council of Elders, Magtymguly Youth Union, Gurbansoltan-eje Women’s Union, Gengeshi for religion affairs, World Turkmen Humanitarian Association, etc. function in the country. The Democratic Party of Turkmenistan is becoming the largest organization.
The official language is Turkmen.
The currency of Turkmenistan is manat, introduced on November 1, 1993. The Central Bank of Turkmenistan is the bank that issues currency.