murat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct
presidential election occurred); note-the president is both the chief
of state and head of government
head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers
Saparmurat NIYAZOV; note-the president is both the chief of state and
head of government; Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers
Mukhamed ABALAKOV (since NA), Orazgeldy AYDOGDIYEV (since NA 1992),
Hudaayguly HALYKOV (since NA 1996), Rejep SAPAROV (since NA 1992),
Boris SHIKHMURADOV (since NA 1993), Batyr SARJAYEV (since NA 1993),
Ilaman SHIKHIYEV (since NA 1995), Yolly GURBANMURADOV (since NA 1997),
Saparmurat NURIYEV (since NA 1997)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
note: NIYAZOV has been asked by various local groups, most recently on
26 October 1995 at the annual elders meeting, to be "president for
life," but he has declined, saying the status would require an
amendment to the constitution
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held NA 2002;
note-extension of President NIYAZOV's term for an additional five
years overwhelmingly approved-99.9% of total vote in favor-by national
referendum held 15 January 1994); deputy chairmen of the cabinet of
ministers are appointed by the president
election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without
opposition; percent of vote-Saparmurad NIYAZOV 99.5%

Legislative branch: under the 1992 constitution, there are two
parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People's Council or Halk Maslahaty
(more than 100 seats, some of which are popularly elected and some are
appointed; meets infrequently) and a unicameral Assembly or Majlis (50
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: People's Council-no elections; Assembly-last held 11
December 1994 (next to be held NA 1999)
election results: Assembly-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by
party-Democratic Party 45, other 5; note-all 50 preapproved by
President NIYAZOV

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT
[Saparmurat NIYAZOV]
note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small
opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries

International organization participation: CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE,
ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF