Turkmenistan to Triple Its Democracy

Independent mathematicians and political scientists agree: Three times zero equals, well, zero. 

Several months ago, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov suggested he is tired of running the only political party in Turkmenistan. After winning reelection to a second five-year term in February, he instructed his government to see about the development of parties in addition to his Democratic Party.  

Now his deputies are developing an agrarian party and a business-oriented party.

"The creation of a multi-party system in Turkmenistan corresponds with our aims to democratize society and undertake major social reforms," state television quoted Berdymukhamedov as saying.

Token alternative parties are employed in neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to present a (generally unconvincing) democratic façade. But, as in those cases, few believe Berdymukhamedov, who has bestowed upon himself the title Arkadag – “The Patron,” or “The Protector” – has any intention of ceding an ounce of his absolute power.

"This could signal the beginning of managed democracy, but the rigid nature of the current system and lack of political opposition makes it unlikely these parties could pursue independent agendas," Eurasia Group analyst Gemma Ferst told Reuters.

During the February election – which, despite its treaty obligations, Ashgabat did not invite the Organization for Security and Cooperation to monitor -- Berdymukhamedov won 97 percent of the vote. Independent analysts called the whole process a sham. Turkmenistan has never held an election considered free and fair by credible observers.