People's Council of Turkmenistan

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People's Council of Turkmenistan

Halk Maslahaty
Emblem of Turkmenistan.svg
Type
Type
Upper chamber
of the National Council of Turkmenistan
HousesPeople's Council of Turkmenistan
Assembly of Turkmenistan
History
Founded2021
Preceded byitself 1992-2008
Leadership
Chairperson
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow
since 14 April 2021
Deputy Chairperson
Structure
Seats56
People’s Council of Turkmenistan 2021.svg
CommitteesProtection of Human Rights and Freedoms;
Economics, Finance, and Social Policy;
Science, Education, Digital System, Sports and Culture;
Regional Development, Environmental Protection, and Agroindustrial Policy;
International Affairs
Elections
Last election
28 March 2021
Politics of Turkmenistan
Emblem of Turkmenistan.svg
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The Halk Maslahaty (Turkmen: Halk Maslahaty, [xɑlq mɑθlɑxɑt̪ɯ]; "People's Council") is the upper chamber of Turkmenistan's Parliament, the "National Council" (Turkmen: Milli Geňeş). It consists of 56 members, 48 elected from the five provinces and the capital city of Ashgabat, and 8 appointed by the president.

History[]

The Halk Maslahaty was originally the highest representative body in Turkmenistan (Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution).[2] It was abolished in the new constitution of 2008.

The original council had 2,507 members, some of whom were elected. All candidates at the elections of 7 April 2003 (turnout 89.3%) belonged to the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan. Like the Assembly of Turkmenistan (the parliament), it was led by the President, who was constitutionally the head of both the legislative and the executive branches of government.

Turkmenistan's administration was based on Halk Maslahatys on different levels. Each province (welaýat) of Turkmenistan had its own (originally 80-member, now 40-member) welaýat halk maslahaty, whose members are elected directly in constituencies. Their influence has been fairly limited even on paper and probably even more so in practice, taking into account that Turkmenistan is a dominant-party state ruled mostly by its president. On lower administrative levels, district and city halk maslahatys existed, as well.

The national-level Halk Maslahaty was abolished when President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow introduced a new constitution in 2008, its powers being returned to the Assembly and the President.[3] In October 2017, however, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov reorganized the Council of Elders into a new People's Council.[4]

In September 2020 the Turkmenistan Parliament adopted a constitutional amendment creating an upper chamber and thus making the Parliament bicameral.[5] The People's Council became the upper chamber. It consists of 56 members, 48 of whom are elected indirectly (i.e., by electors, not by popular ballot) and 8 of whom are appointed by the president. Together with the previous unicameral parliament, the 125-seat Mejlis, as the lower chamber, the Parliament is now called the National Council (Turkmen: Milli Geňeş). Election to the upper chamber was held March 28, 2021.[6][7] Elections to the Mejlis were last held March 25, 2018.[8][9]

Outside observers consider the Turkmen legislature to be a rubber stamp parliament.[8][9][10]

Results of 2021 election[]

See also: 2021 Turkmen People's Council election

Turkmen official media reported that 231 out of 240 eligible electors came from the Halk Maslahatys of the five provinces and Ashgabat city, meaning 98.7% of eligible electors participated in the 2021 election. They included 37 from Ahal province, 38 from Lebap province, and 39 each from the other provinces and the city of Ashgabat. One hundred twelve candidates competed for 48 seats.[11] Twenty-seven percent of the winning candidates were women.[12] President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was among candidates elected to the People's Council as a member from Ahal province.[13] He reportedly received 100% of votes from the electors.[14] On 14 April 2021, Berdimuhamedow was unanimously elected chairman of the People's Council.[15][16]

PartySeats+/–
Independents45+45
Democratic Party of Turkmenistan3+3
Total48+48
Source: CEC

On 14 April 2021, President Berdimuhamedov appointed eight additional members: Kasymguly Gulmyradowiç Babaýew, Guwançmyrat Bagybekowiç Agaýew, Batyr Geldymämmedowiç Orazmämmedow, Dünýägözel Akmuhammedowna Gulmanowa, Merettagan Gurbandurdyýewiç Taganow, Serdar Aşyrowiç Gaýypow, Merdan Jowmardowiç Halnazarow, and Çarygeldi Gurbangeldiýewiç Babanyýazow.[17]

Committees[]

The People's Council is organized into five committees. Chairpersons were elected on 14 April 2021 as follows:[16][18][19][20]

Committee Chairperson Deputy Chair
Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms Merettagan Gurbandurdyýewiç Taganow Dünýägözel Akmuhammedowna Gulmanowa
Economics, Finance, and Social Policy Guwançmyrat Bagybekowiç Agaýew Merdan Jowmardowiç Halnazarow
Science, Education, Digital System, Sports and Culture Bahar Hojamuradowna Seýidowa
Regional Development, Environmental Protection, and Agroindustrial Policy Çarygeldi Gurbangeldiýewiç Babanyýazow Batyr Geldymämmedowiç Orazmämmedow
International Affairs Mähri Hojamgulyýewna Bäşimowa

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Türkmenistanyň Milli Geňeşiniň Halk Maslahatynyň KARARY Türkmenistanyň Milli Geňeşiniň Halk Maslahatynyň Başlygynyň orunbasary hakynda" (in Turkmen). Türkmenistan. 15 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Central Asia :: Turkmenistan — The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency". Cia.gov. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Turkmenistan approves new constitution to increase president's powers". Pravda. 2008-09-26. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  4. ^ "Turkmenistan's Council of Elders To Be Transformed Into People's Council". RadioFreeEurope.
  5. ^ "President For Life? Turkmen Leader Signs Mysterious Constitutional Changes Into Law". RFE/RL. September 25, 2020.
  6. ^ "Turkmen Voters Given Two Hours To Cast Ballots In Senate Election". RFE/RL. March 28, 2021.
  7. ^ "Туркменистан впервые в истории избрал верхнюю палату парламента" (in Russian). Deutsche Welle. March 28, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Turkmenistan votes for a new 'rubber-stamp' parliament". bne IntelliNews. March 26, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Pannier, Bruce (March 22, 2018). "Turkmen Elections Look Like Next Step Toward Dynasty". RFE/RL.
  10. ^ Clement, Victoria (October 21, 2019). "Passing the baton in Turkmenistan". Atlantic Council.
  11. ^ "Центризбирком: выборы членов Халк Маслахаты Милли Генгеша признаны состоявшимися" (in Russian). «Туркменистан: золотой век». March 28, 2021.
  12. ^ "Заседание Правительства: итоги выборов в верхнюю палату парламента, создание благотворительного фонда, поручения вице-премьерам" (in Russian). «Туркменистан: золотой век». March 29, 2021.
  13. ^ "Список избранных членов Халк Маслахаты Милли Генгеша Туркменистана" (in Russian). Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Turkmenistan's Authoritarian Leader Wins Senate Seat With '100 Percent' Of Vote". RFE/RL. March 29, 2021.
  15. ^ "Президент Туркменистана избран председателем новой палаты парламента" (in Russian). «Туркменистан: золотой век». 14 April 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Бердымухамедов избран главой Халк Маслахаты Милли Генгеша" (in Russian). SNG Today. 14 April 2021.
  17. ^ "Türkmenistanyň Prezidentiniň PERMANY Türkmenistanyň Milli Geňeşiniň Halk Maslahatynyň agzalaryny bellemek hakynda" (in Turkmen). Türkmenistan. 15 April 2021.
  18. ^ "Бердымухамедов открыл здание Аппарата Халк Маслахаты и провел первое заседание новой палаты" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 15 April 2021.
  19. ^ "Президент Гурбангулы Бердымухамедов провел первое совместное заседание двух палат Милли Генгеша" (in Russian). Государственное информационное агентство Туркменистана (TDH) - Туркменистан сегодня. 14 April 2021.
  20. ^ "Избраны заместитель председателя и руководители комитетов Халк Маслахаты Милли Генгеша Туркменистана" (in Russian). «Туркменистан: золотой век». 14 April 2021.
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