Political situation in Uzbekistan

President Shavkat Mirziyojev in a polling station AP/Handout 

 

Uzbekistan agrees that the leader can sit until 2040  

 

Uzbekistan has, through a referendum, approved several amendments to the constitution, which strengthen the president's iron grip on power. Reuters reports. The preliminary figures from Sunday's election show that 90.21 percent voted for the reform, according to the country's election commission.  

 

The new laws mean, among other things, that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's time in power is set to zero, and he can thus serve two more seven-year mandates when the current one expires - at the latest until 2040. 

 

The basic law package also promises economic and social reforms, but international observers believe, according to TT, that it is above all the authoritarian leader who benefits from the reform.  

 

Woman votes in the referendum. AP   

 

OSCE: Referendum burst into pluralism and competition  

 

Election observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) criticize the referendum on the constitution in Uzbekistan, AFP reports. The result does not reflect reality, according to the organization. 

 

"Uzbekistan's constitutional referendum was technically well prepared and widely promoted as a step in strengthening freedoms and rights, but it took place in an environment bursting with genuine political pluralism and competition," the OSCE wrote in a statement.  

 

An overwhelming majority, over 90 percent, voted for the reform package, which means, among other things, that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev extends his grip on power and can remain in office until 2040 at the latest - even though he is already in his second term.