ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan: Turkmenistan has scheduled snap presidential elections after the country’s strongman president announced that he will step down, though it is expected that his son will succeed him.
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said in a statement that it was time for a younger generation to lead the country. However, it is his son, Serdar, who is expected to assume the presidency.
In recent years, Serdar has held a series of prominent government posts and is now the deputy chairman of the Cabinet.
The presidential election is to be held on March 12, the parliament announced.
The current president, Berdymukhamedov, has been president since 2006 following the death of Saparmurat Niyazov.
Under Berdymukhamedov’s rule, the country has been often closed to foreigners. Turkmenistan has not reported any cases of infection during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 64-year-old Berdymukhamedov has created a cult following and promoted himself as an athlete, often staging public media exhibitions featuring his athletic prowess.
