Vorlage:Politics of Turkmenistan
A referendum on extending President Saparmurat Niyazov's term until 2002 was held in Turkmenistan on 15 January 1994.[1] Official results showed that the proposal was approved by 99.99% of voters, with a 100% turnout.[1]
Background Bearbeiten
In January 1990 Saparmurat Niyazov[lower-alpha 1] was elected to the Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic and was appointed as its chairman.[1][2] Two months later, Niyazov was elected by the Supreme Soviet to the new office of president.[1] Following in the footsteps of his predecessor(s), Niyazov prevented Gorbachev-era reforms from having any tangible effect on what was among the most conservative federal republics of USSR.[1][2] Opposition groups were routinely disbanded and members exiled on charges of anti-Soviet activities.[2]
In October 1990 his presidency was "unanimously" confirmed by the masses.[1] A year later he led Turkmenistan to secede from the Soviet Union despite an initial reluctance, and decreed a new constitution that promulgated a presidential government.[2][3] The political atmosphere of the newly independent state remained as conservative as before, with Niyazov finding "classic, democratic formulas [..] that worked out in some prosperous Western country" unsuitable for Turkmenistan.[2] In 1992 Niyazov was re-elected unopposed as president, receiving over 98% of the vote.[1] Following these victories, Niyazov went further in manifesting a totalitarian regime based on a cult of personality.[1][2][3]
Question Bearbeiten
Voters were asked to decide whether to prolong the term of President Niyazov by six years, until 2002.[1] The question was worded "Do you support extending the term of President Saparmurat Niyazov until 2002?"
Results Bearbeiten
According to official statistics, 100% of the registered voters (1,959,637) participated in the referendum.[1] Vorlage:Referendum results
Aftermath Bearbeiten
The promised elections were not held in 2002, as Niyazov had himself declared President for life by the Assembly on 28 December 1999.[1] He would rule until his death in 2006.
Notes Bearbeiten
References Bearbeiten
Vorlage:Turkmenistani elections
Turkmenistan Presidential term Kategorie:Referendums in Turkmenistan
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz, Christof Hartmann: Elections in Asia and the Pacific: A Data Handbook. Oxford University Press, 2001, ISBN 978-0-19-924958-9, doi:10.1093/019924958x.003.0022 (oxfordscholarship.com).
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Kareem Al-Bassam: The Evolution of Authoritarianism in Turkmenistan. In: Demokratizatsiya: The Journal of Post-Soviet Democratization. 5. Jahrgang, Nr. 3, 1997, S. 386–405 (demokratizatsiya.pub [PDF]).
- ↑ a b John Anderson: Authoritarian political development in Central Asia: The case of Turkmenistan. In: Central Asian Survey. 14. Jahrgang, Nr. 4, 1. Dezember 1995, ISSN 0263-4937, S. 509–527, doi:10.1080/02634939508400922.
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