Berdymukhamedov Steps Down from Position of Democratic Party Chairman
Speaking at the VII Congress of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, President Berdymukhamedov announced his decision to withdraw from his position as the chairman of Turkmenistan’s Democratic Party, the Turkmen government reported. “As Turkmenistan enters a new stage of development, the President, as the guarantor of the Constitution, must refrain from membership in a political party”, said Berdymukhamedov. He added that he is the Supreme Commander of Turkmenistan’s Military Forces, and Turkmen law prohibits the heads of military bodies from being involved in political activities. The former first secretary of the party’s political council, Kasymguly Babaev, was elected the new chairman of the party.
Sources: trend.az, Turkmenistan.ru, gundogar.org
Monument to Berdymukhamedov's Living Father Erected in Ashgabat
A bronze statue of President Berdymukhamedov’s father, Mialikguly Berdymukhamedov, was unveiled in the new complex of the Military Division of the Ministry of Interior, where he had worked for many years. Last year the Military Division was named after the President’s father. President Berdymukhamedov, the Head of Turkmen Parliament, and vice-premiers of the Turkmen government took part in the opening ceremony, which was broadcast on national TV.
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles
All Turkmen Calendars Feature Turkmen President
In Turkmenistan, there are no calendars with photos of nature or historical places. Instead, all calendars have photos of President Berdymukhamedov. In the country’s few bookstores, these brightly colored calendars have filled the shelves for years. They are regularly published but nobody buys them. Their price is high: large calendars cost the equivalent of 32 USD and more, while small ones cost about 16 USD. For most citizens, this is too expensive (the average salary is about 300 USD), even if they wished to look at the President’s photo every day, month after month.
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles
Turkmen President Participated in Bike Race with Sportsmen from National Bicycle Team
President Berdymukhamedov participated in a bike race together with professional sportsmen of Turkmenistan’s National Cycling team.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
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