President of Turkmenistan

President of Turkmenistan. Since 1997, he headed the Ministry of Health. In 2001, he became Deputy Prime Minister in charge of healthcare, education and science, and since 2004 - culture and media. In December 2006, he became the acting president of Turkmenistan, in February 2007 he was elected president of the country, and in February 2012 he was re-elected for a second term. Head of the government. Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan, Army General, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.

In 1995, Berdimuhamedov became director of the dental center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. On May 28, 1997, he was appointed Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. In addition, in 1998, Berdimuhamedov became the head of the Saparmurat Niyazov International Medical Center. On April 3, 2001, Berdimuhamedov, in addition to his ministerial position, became Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Turkmenistan, responsible for healthcare, education and science, and since August 2004, he also began to oversee culture and the media.

Berdymukhamedov's activities as minister and vice president were practically not covered in the media, as was the work of other high-ranking Turkmen officials. It is known that in November 2002, he ordered to expand the experiment of renaming the days of the week and months of the year, as well as replacing the traditional greeting “Salam Aleikum” in favor of Niyazov’s “Rukhnama” and “Shamchirag”. In July 2003, Berdymukhamedov headed the state commission for admission to higher educational institutions, which became possible to enter only after two years of work in the chosen specialty, and not immediately after graduation. It was planned to enroll 3,920 students in 16 Turkmen universities from July 9 to August 9, 2003. In November 2003, Berdymukhamedov received a reprimand from Turkmen President Niyazov for the low level of qualifications of Turkmen doctors, but retained his post. In April 2004, Niyazov fined Berdymukhamedov an amount equal to three months' salary for the fact that about half of the wage arrears in Turkmenistan were in the education and health sectors. According to some reports, Berdymukhamedov was at one time Niyazov's personal physician.

On the one hand, Berdymukhamedov owed his government posts to the President of Turkmenistan, who personally periodically dismissed high-ranking officials, preventing them from gaining connections and strengthening their position in power. On the other hand, some experts named Berdimuhamedov among those officials who influenced such decisions of Niyazov, thereby eliminating competitors. Thus, in November 2002, Berdimuhamedov and the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the oil and gas industry, Elly Gurbanmuradov, allegedly managed to dismiss Rejep Saparov, who was appointed manager of the office of the President of Turkmenistan, from his post as Deputy Prime Minister. Experts then talked about an inevitable clash of interests between Berdimuhamedov and Gurbanmuradov and relied on the latter. On May 20, 2005, Gurbanmuradov was arrested on charges of corruption and cooperation with foreign intelligence services with the aim of political destabilization in the country. On July 2, 2005, Saparov, elected in August 2003 as Deputy Chairman of the People's Council (Khalk Maslakhaty), was arrested for bribery, illegal acquisition and storage of weapons, abuse and abuse of power. At the end of July 2005, Saparov and Gurbanmuradov were sentenced to 20 and 25 years in prison, respectively. Unofficial reports soon appeared that the latter had committed suicide.

According to some reports, in September 2004, Berdymukhamedov took part in a closed meeting of the President of Turkmenistan, held in a narrow circle. Niyazov was allegedly greatly frightened by the speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who declared on September 13, 2004 (after the Beslan events) that the heads of regions and republics would henceforth be appointed by the president of the country. According to experts, it seemed to Niyazov that the issue of the leader of Turkmenistan would soon be decided again in Moscow. To discuss the feasibility of holding an all-Turkmen referendum on the issue of “reunification with Russia,” he convened an emergency meeting, in which, to the surprise of experts, the heads of the presidential administration Saparov, his deputy Alexander Zhadan and Berdimuhamedov took part. It is reliably known that from September 13 to 15, 2004, the German heart surgeon Hans Meissner conducted another examination of Niyazov.

On November 28, 2006, Berdimuhamedov, instead of Niyazov, took part in a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS. A year earlier, Niyazov appealed to the leaders of the CIS with a request to consider Turkmenistan not a permanent, but an associated member of this organization. In the fall of 2006, Berdymukhamedov, who was allegedly Niyazov’s illegitimate son, was called a possible successor to the president. True, according to experts, the same rumors circulated about the former head of the National Security Committee, Muhammad Nazarov, who was sentenced to 25 years in April 2004.

On the night of December 20-21, 2006, Niyazov died of sudden cardiac arrest. On December 21, 2006, Berdimuhamedov became the interim President of Turkmenistan. In accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, the powers of the country's president were to go to the chairman of the parliament (Majlis), and he did not have the right to participate in new elections, which were to be held no later than two months later. However, the chairman of the parliament, Ovezgeldy Atayev, was taken into custody, and the Security Council of Turkmenistan appointed Berdimuhamedov, who was also appointed head of the commission for organizing Niyazov’s funeral, as acting president. According to some experts, a coup has actually occurred in the country. On December 23, 2006, Berdymukhamedov relieved himself of his post as Minister of Health and Medical Industry, appointing Byashim Sopyev as acting minister. On December 24, 2006, Niyazov was buried, and an emergency congress of the People's Council was scheduled for December 26, 2006 to determine his likely successors.

On December 26, 2006, Berdymukhamedov was elected chairman of the congress of the People's Council, which on that day changed the constitution of Turkmenistan, adopted the law on presidential elections, set the date for presidential elections and approved six candidates. The congress delegates, at the proposal of the second secretary of the ruling Democratic Party Ondzhik Musayev, who allegedly remembered Niyazov’s posthumous will, amended the country’s basic law, allowing the deputy prime minister to serve as the president of the republic. The head of the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan announced that the elections would take place on February 11, 2007. Then representatives of all five velayats (regions) and the capital of Turkmenistan, which has the status of a region, nominated ten candidates. The last - eleventh - was Berdymukhamedov, whose candidacy was proposed by Musaev. Each of the nominated candidates had to be approved as a presidential candidate by two-thirds of the votes of the members of the People's Council: only five out of ten passed this selection, while Berdymukhamedov was voted unanimously.

On February 11, 2007, Berdimuhamedov was elected president of Turkmenistan. Over 2.677 million residents of the country (98.65 percent of voters) took part in the elections, of which 89.23 percent cast their votes for Berdimuhamedov. Already on election day, the date for the inauguration of the new president was announced, despite the theoretical possibility of a second round of elections. On February 14, 2007, at a meeting of the People's Council, the final voting results were announced, Berdymukhamedov took the oath of office on the Constitution of Turkmenistan and received the presidential certificate from the hands of the chairman of the Central Election Commission. In accordance with the constitution of Turkmenistan, the president of the country is the head of the government - the cabinet of ministers.

On May 4, 2007, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan awarded President Berdimuhamedov, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic, the rank of army general. Before him, this military rank in Turkmenistan was held only by Niyazov and two defense ministers - former Danatar Kopekov and current Agageldy Mamedgeldyev.

In the summer of 2007, President Berdimuhamedov received the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences and the title of professor in the specialty “Social Hygiene and Healthcare Organization.” This decision was made by the expert commission on medical sciences of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology of Turkmenistan based on Berdymukhamedov’s many years of scientific and practical activity. In August 2007, Berdymukhamedov was elected chairman of the National Movement "Galkynysh" ("Renaissance") and the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan.

In September 2007, during a visit to the United States, timed to coincide with a meeting of the UN General Assembly, Berdimuhamedov announced the impending reform of the economy and democratization of the country. Shortly thereafter, Berdymukhamedov began revamping his administration. Already in October, he made a number of reshuffles in the law enforcement agencies, replacing the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of National Security. In March 2008, Berdymukhamedov also replaced the prosecutor general and the leadership of the Supreme Court, and in April - the leadership of the Central Bank.

At the same time, in the second half of 2007, Turkmenistan, on the initiative of Berdimuhamedov, began to abandon a number of restrictions introduced during the reign of Niyazov. In December 2007, the ban on foreign periodicals was lifted, and in January 2008, on opera and circus. On July 1, 2008, Turkmenistan returned to the Gregorian calendar, abolished by Niyazov back in 2002.

Berdymukhamedov's economic policy at this time was characterized by a desire to get closer to the West. Thus, according to some reports, one of the topics of negotiations between Berdimuhamedov in the United States and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was supposed to be the opening of Turkmenistan’s gas sector to American investors. In October 2007, Turkmenistan, together with Georgia, refused to sign the CIS Development Concept, which envisaged, in particular, the formation of an “integrated economic and political association of interested states.” In November, it was reported that Berdymukhamedov supported the idea of ​​​​building a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, which would allow Europe to receive Turkmen gas bypassing Russia. Along with this, in December of the same year, a final agreement was reached between Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia to begin construction of the Caspian gas pipeline, which should increase the volume of Turkmen gas supplies to Russia.

On April 18, 2008, Berdymukhamedov announced the creation of a special commission whose task was to create a new edition of the Turkmen constitution. Her project, published in July 2008, implied, in particular, the abolition of the highest body of state power - the People's Council, whose powers were divided between the president and parliament. On September 26, 2008, at the last meeting of the People's Council, a new version of the constitution was adopted; according to some experts, it significantly increased the powers of the president.

In October 2008, the Izvestia newspaper talked about the published book “Teacher, warrior, citizen. The life-feat of Berdymukhamed Annayev,” dedicated to the story of the life of Berdymukhamedov’s paternal grandfather. The pedigree of the head of state and the history of his ancestral village of Yzgant were also given there. “It seems that the republic is smoothly entering the new era of Turkmenbashi-2,” the article noted. That same month, the World Karate Federation awarded President Berdymukhamedov with a 6th dan black belt "for his outstanding contribution to the development of the national sport." As Turkmen television reported, the President of Turkmenistan received a black belt in karate in connection with the 17th anniversary of the country's independence.

In January 2009, Berdymukhamedov announced the need for new reforms related to “the creation of a new basis for political, economic, social and cultural legislation.” Shortly after this, Berdimuhamedov reorganized the composition of the Turkmen government: Defense Minister Mamedgeldyev, Deputy Prime Minister Khojamyrad Geldymyradov, who oversaw the economy, as well as the Minister of Social Security, the Minister of Communications, the Minister of Energy and Industry and a number of other senior officials were dismissed. , . At the same time, Berdimuhamedov approved a new military doctrine for Turkmenistan, which preserved its neutral status and provided for a gradual transition of the army to a contract basis and modernization of weapons. Later, at the end of May 2009, Berdymukhamedov also replaced the Minister of Internal Affairs, and in July removed another Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Railway Transport and the Minister of Education, who was responsible for the economy.

In March 2009, Berdymukhamedov visited Moscow and held talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Meanwhile, among the signed documents there was no agreement on the construction of the East-West gas pipeline, which was supposed to supply the Caspian gas pipeline that was under construction. Experts explained this by the fact that Turkmenistan continues to consider options for building gas pipelines to Europe, bypassing Russia. In July 2009, after Gazprom refused to purchase previously agreed volumes of Turkmen gas, Turkmenistan announced an increase in gas supplies to Iran and the construction of a new Turkmen-Iranian gas pipeline. In addition, Berdymukhamedov announced his country's readiness to participate in the Nabucco gas pipeline project, which was supposed to bypass Russia. In December of the same year, in the presence of Berdymukhamedov, as well as the leaders of China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Hu Jintao, Nursultan Nazarbayev and Islam Karimov, the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline was opened, which, according to experts, significantly reduced the economic dependence of the Central Asian republics on Russia. A week after this, during Medvedev's visit to Turkmenistan, it was announced that gas supplies to Russia would be resumed starting in 2010 at a price corresponding to the conditions of the European gas market.

Although Berdymukhamedov stopped practicing medicine, at the end of July 2009, during the opening of a new cancer center dedicated to the Day of Healthcare and Medical Industry Workers of Turkmenistan, the president personally performed an operation to remove a benign tumor. That same month, Berdimuhamedov was elected academician of the Turkmen Academy of Sciences. In July 2010, Berdymukhamedov was also awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Economic Sciences “based on the totality of fundamental scientific works.”

On July 7, 2011, a series of explosions occurred in the Turkmen city of Abadan. While the country's official media reported pyrotechnics intended for fireworks igniting, killing fifteen people, non-government sources claimed explosions at an ammunition depot resulting in the deaths of nearly fourteen hundred people. Berdimuhamedov himself indicated that “virtually a new city” would be built on the site of old Abadan.

In October 2011, during the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence, Berdymukhamedov was awarded the title of Hero of the country and the accompanying gold medal "Altyn Ay" ("golden month"). Noting the president's merits, speakers at the Council of Elders called him "Arkadag" ("patron") - Berdymukhamedov was regularly called this way since 2010 and, as reported in the press, this could become his official title, like Niyazov's "Turkmenbashi".

In mid-December 2011, on the eve of the next presidential election, at a joint meeting of representatives of the Democratic Party and a number of public organizations, Berdymukhamedov was nominated as a candidate for the post of head of state. In the elections held on February 12, 2012, Berdymukhamedov was formally opposed by seven candidates, but according to the official voting results, the incumbent president was re-elected for a second term: 97.14 percent of voters voted for him with a turnout of over 96 percent. On February 17, 2012, Berdymukhamedov officially assumed his second presidential term.

Berdimuhamedov is the author of two books published in 2007 - a collection of articles “Scientific foundations for the development of healthcare in Turkmenistan” and “Turkmenistan is a country of healthy and highly spiritual people.” In October 2008, a presentation of another book by the Turkmen president took place in Ashgabat, which was dedicated to horses and called “The Akhal-Teke Horse - Our Pride and Glory.” In December of the same year, the first volume of Berdymukhamedov’s selected works, entitled “Toward New Heights of Progress,” was published, and in June 2009, the second volume of the same publication was published. In July 2009, the first volume of Berdimuhamedov’s fundamental work “Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan” was published in Turkmen, English and Russian versions; in June 2010, the second volume of this publication was published; in March 2012, the appearance of the third volume became known. In October 2011, a presentation of two more works by Berdimuhamedov took place - the book “Living Legend”, dedicated to Turkmen carpet weaving, and the novel “A Good Name is Imperishable”, published in Turkmen and Russian, which described the life of the “teacher and warrior” Berdimuhamed Annayev, the president’s grandfather.

In August 2010, Berdymukhamedov became president of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association.

In June 2009, the Berdimuhamedov Museum opened in Ashgabat. In February 2011, the King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, awarded Berdymukhamedov with the kingdom's highest honor, the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, First Class.

According to some reports, Berdymukhamedov was married twice: his first wife was Turkmen, and his second was Russian. He has one son, three daughters and four grandchildren.

Used materials

The third volume of the book “Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan” has been published. - TURKMENinform, 05.03.2012

Anna Kurbanova. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was awarded the certificate of the head of state for the second time. - ITAR-TASS, 17.02.2012

Berdimuhamedov won. - Interfax, 13.02.2012

CEC: The President of Turkmenistan was re-elected for a second term with a result of 97.14%. - NEWSru.com, 13.02.2012

Public organizations nominated Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov as a candidate for the post of President of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.12.2011

The President of Turkmenistan was made a hero of the country. - Sight, 25.10.2011

Berdimuhamedov was awarded the title of Hero of Turkmenistan for the first time; Niyazov had six such awards. - Gazeta.Ru, 25.10.2011

Representatives of domestic science got acquainted with the new books of the head of state. - TURKMENinform, 24.10.2011

An artistic and documentary novel has been published from the pen of the President of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 24.10.2011

Marcus Bensmann. Turkmenischer Sommer. - Die Tageszeitung, 15.07.2011

Human rights activists: a secret tragedy near Ashgabat claimed 1,382 lives, missiles hit a maternity hospital. - NEWSru.com, 14.07.2011

Human rights activists: the explosion in Abadan killed 1,382 people. - BBC News, Russian Service, 14.07.2011

In Abadan, the consequences of explosions at a military arsenal are being eliminated. - IA Rosbalt, 09.07.2011

Extraordinary joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Security Council of Turkmenistan. - State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH), 07.07.2011

The King of Bahrain presented the President of Turkmenistan Berdimuhamedov with the highest order of his country. - ITAR-TASS, 09.02.2011

Zhasulan Kukzhekov. The second president of Turkmenistan was given the title "Arkadag". - Radio Azattyk, 31.01.2011

The International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association was established. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.08.2010

The President of Turkmenistan was awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Economic Sciences. - Gundogar, 10.07.2010

Turkmenistan will resume gas supplies to the Russian Federation in January. - RIA News, 22.12.2009

Alexander Gabuev, Natalya Grib. Item of multi-gas consumption. - Kommersant, 15.12.2009. - №234 (4289)

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was elected academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 25.07.2009

The President of Turkmenistan operated on the patient. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 22.07.2009

Mikhail Sergeev. Turkmenistan has found a replacement for Russia. - Independent newspaper, 14.07.2009

The President of Turkmenistan carried out high-profile resignations. - Moscow's comsomolets, 11.07.2009

The Minister of Education of Turkmenistan was dismissed for corruption in universities. - IA Trend, 04.07.2009

The Berdymukhammedov Museum opened in Ashgabat. - Gundogar, 30.06.2009

Anna Kurbanova. The second volume of selected works by President Berdimuhamedov has been published in Turkmenistan. - ITAR-TASS, 26.06.2009

Anna Kurbanova. On Police Day in Turkmenistan, the Minister of Internal Affairs was fired. - ITAR-TASS, 29.05.2009

The presidents of the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan tightened their pipes. - Kommersant, 26.03.2009. - №53 (4108)

Maria Tsvetkova, Denis Malkov. The pipe is on fire. - Vedomosti, 26.03.2009. - №53 (2323)

Vladimir Soloviev. Change of homeland. - Kommersant, 23.01.2009. - №11(4066)

Victoria Panfilova. Turkmenistan is arming itself. - Independent newspaper, 23.01.2009

A new military doctrine of an independent, permanently neutral Turkmenistan was approved. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 21.01.2009

The President of Turkmenistan approved a new military doctrine and replaced the Minister of Defense. - ITAR-TASS, 21.01.2009

The President of Turkmenistan replaced the Minister of Defense and the head of the border service. - Reuters, 21.01.2009

The President of Turkmenistan made a number of personnel appointments in government agencies. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.01.2009

The President of Turkmenistan fired a number of leaders. - IA Trend, 16.01.2009

Tuvakmammed Japarov was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Government of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.01.2009

The President of Turkmenistan replaced the head of the Ministry of Communications. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.01.2009

The Minister of Energy and Industry of Turkmenistan has been dismissed. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.01.2009

I once asked one Turkmen how the personality cult of Turkmenbashi (the title of Saparmurat Niyazov, translated as “Head of the Turkmens”) differs from the personality cult of Arkadag (the title of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, translated as “Patron”).

You know, we used to have portraits of Turkmenbashi hanging everywhere. They hanged him once and forgot about it. And then, in his old age, he decided to dye his hair black, and they announced to the people that the leader had begun to look younger. Then all the portraits across the country were changed. And when Arkadag came, we change the portraits every year. No, he doesn't dye his hair all the time, he just pays very close attention to his photographs. Either it should be against the background of a white carpet, or against the background of a red one. And you need to constantly run around and buy new portraits. Moreover, we buy portraits with our own money. We jokingly call this “the people’s love tax.”

In general, it’s very interesting to watch how people’s minds are blown away by limitless money and impunity. I can still imagine how Turkmenbashi seized power and began erecting golden statues of himself. The man had a difficult childhood (he grew up in an orphanage), and was a party functionary all his life. And so I decided to break away and take revenge on everyone. But Berdimuhamedov seems to come from a family of teachers, he himself is a doctor of medical sciences, a dentist, worked as a doctor all his life, then became the minister of health. It would seem that an educated person could pull the country out of medieval rituals. But several years have passed since Berdymukhamedov sat on the throne, and now, in front of a large crowd of people, a golden monument is unveiled to him, and portraits of Berdymukhamedov are seen on the streets more often than paid parking signs in the center of Moscow.

But let's start in order.

The first president of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov, ruled the country for more than 30 years. Back in 1985, he became the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Turkmen SSR, before which he headed the Ashgabat city committee for five years.

When the USSR faltered, Niyazov became chairman of the Supreme Council of the republic, which proclaimed its independence. And already in June 1992, the former party worker was elected president of Turkmenistan. They say it was a completely democratic election with a single candidate and 99.5% of the votes fairly received.

Just a year later, the Mejlis, that is, the parliament, gave Niyazov the title of Turkmenbashi, which meant that from now on he was the head of all Turkmens in the world. Later, the word “Great” was added to the title for credibility. During the reign of Turkmenbashi, titles such as “savior of the nation” and “messenger of Allah” were optional; the commonly used titles (including in the media) were Serdar, or “leader”. In addition, Niyazov, who did not serve in the army, had the rank of marshal and was awarded the title of Hero of Turkmenistan five times. When meeting with Turkmenbashi, officials had to kiss his right hand, strewn with rings with emeralds and diamonds.

You think these are just titles, but no. The national anthem was changed to match the titles. One Turkmen told me that at school, on the blackboard where the anthem was, one line was always covered with white paint, and either “Turkmenbashi”, or “Great Turkmenbashi”, or something else was manually written there.

In the mid-90s, Niyazov seriously thought about declaring himself Shah, but they say that the elders, as well as the heads of Iran, Russia and Uzbekistan, opposed this. To console himself, Turkmenbashi in 1999 forced the People's Council of the Republic to proclaim him president for life.

To emphasize his greatness, Turkmenbashi ordered the erection of a gigantic 83-meter monument, known as the Arch of Neutrality, in the center of Ashgabat. At its top was a gilded statue of Niyazov himself, which rotated after the sun.

After the death of Turkmenbashi, the arch was dismantled and moved to the outskirts of the city. Now the statue does not rotate, since otherwise for half the day the golden figure of the leader would be turned with its back to the capital. Ugly.

In 2000, another giant statue of Turkmenbashi appeared in the Turkmen capital, this time in front of the Independence Monument.

Next to the Independence Monument there is the Avenue of Presidents, where visiting leaders plant a pine tree. This is Medvedev's pine, for example.

And here is Yanukovych's pine.

In total, 14,000 statues and busts of Turkmenbashi appeared in the country over a couple of decades. Their number began to decrease only with Berdymukhamedov coming to power. But even now there are a lot of statues.

Golden Turkmenbashi sits near the entrance to the local KGB, his profile adorns the buildings of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Press. And here is his statue in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan.

Another statue stands in the park of the 10th anniversary of the independence of Turkmenistan in the very center of Ashgabat.

The city of Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnovodsk) and the peak of Great Turkmenbashi (Ayribaba peak, the highest peak of the Koytendag ridge) were named after Niyazov. All the streets of Turkmen cities bore the names and titles of either Turkmenbashi himself or his relatives. The rest were either numbered, had unrelated names (for example, Neutral Turkmenistan Street), or were named after two or three historical figures.

All offices of officials, auditoriums, production facilities and lobbies were to have portraits of the leader. Of course, the bright face of Turkmenbashi looked at his subjects from the banknotes of the national currency.

Vodka "Serdar" (leader) and eau de toilette "Turkmenbashi", produced in France, were sold in the country. It seems that the aroma was chosen by Niyazov himself.

Personalized cognac

Niyazov decided to place his Akhal-Teke horse named Yanardag in the center of the coat of arms of Turkmenistan. After the death of Turkmenbashi, his heir ordered the horse to be replaced with his own.

Deciding that all this was not enough, Turkmenbashi wrote a great work, which he called “Rukhnama”. Niyazov himself called it “the main book of the Turkmen people” and a “guide book.”

"Rukhnama" was first published in 2001, but in five years it was translated into more than 40 languages ​​of the world, and its total circulation exceeded 1 million copies. To study the book, a separate subject was introduced in schools and universities across the country; knowledge of the Rukhnama was tested in entrance exams, as well as when hiring.

In 2002, the month of September in Turkmenistan was renamed Ruhnama, and in 2005, construction began on the university named after. Ruhnama. But a year later Niyazov died, and this plan could not be implemented. But in Ashgabat they managed to erect a monument to the Rukhnama.

Few people believe that Turkmenbashi himself wrote the “holy book”: it is believed that this is the work of literary blacks. However, it is no longer possible to prove this. Turkmenbashi's heir, Berdimuhamedov, partially debunked the cult of the Rukhnama, but instead pleased his subjects with works of his own composition.

By the way, not only September received the current name. Niyazov renamed the whole year, not forgetting either himself (January began to be called “Turkmenbashi”), or his mother: in Turkmenistan the month is now Gurbansoltan-edje, and not April at all.

The Turkmen even had a joke: “Arriving in Turkmenbashi (city) to Turkmenbashi (month) along Turkmenbashi (street) to Turkmenbashi (hotel).”

The cult of Niyazov’s mother is part of the cult of Turkmenbashi himself. First of all, with the light hand of the president, his parents became Heroes of Turkmenistan. The national Turkmen bread Chorek was named after Gurbansoltan-eje. In addition, instead of the goddess Themis, it was Turkmenbashi’s mother who began to personify Justice.

In Ashgabat, of course, there were monuments to Gurbansoltan-eje and the leader’s father Atamurat Niyazov, but in 2014 they were dismantled.

In 2004, in the town of Kipchak, where Niyazov was born, the Turkmenbashi Rukhy Mosque was built, at that time the largest single-domed mosque in the world. On the walls of the mosque there was a place for quotes from the Ruhnama.

A mausoleum was prudently built next to the mosque, in the corners of which Niyazov’s father, mother and two brothers were buried, and Turkmenbashi himself was buried in the central sarcophagus in 2006.

After Niyazov's death, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov (who, according to widespread rumors, is his illegitimate son) became the president of Turkmenistan. Since the beginning of his reign, Berdymukhamedov has been trying to replace Niyazov’s personality cult with a personality cult of himself.

But golden statues of Turkmenbashi still stand outside most government buildings. Berdymukhamedov has not yet decided to remove them.

Two years after the start of Berdymukhamedov’s presidency, one of the officials reported that from all over the country there were “numerous wishes from citizens, enterprise teams, institutions and public organizations with a proposal to award the president the title of Hero of Turkmenistan.”

The local media wrote that “these words... were greeted by those present at the government meeting with standing, stormy, incessant applause.”

Berdimuhamedov became embarrassed and said that he was too young for the highest rank in the country:

I’m still young, I’m ready to work a little more so that you can then give me such a high rating.

The Council of Elders of Turkmenistan obediently delayed and awarded him the title of Hero of Turkmenistan only two years later. Berdimuhamedov has four more Hero titles left to catch up with Turkmenbashi in terms of the number of top awards.

To ensure that the new president does not lag behind Turkmenbashi in other respects, his loyal subjects came up with the title “Arkadag”, which means “Patron”. It was awarded to Berdymukhamedov at a military parade in 2010.

Journalists from the Turkmen editorial office of Radio Liberty, in the words of an unnamed blogger, tell how this happened:

A large detachment of Turkmen military, marching past Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, stopped and turned to face him, and they all selflessly knelt before him. Perhaps this was supposed to symbolize the nation kneeling before its Patron (Arkadag). It is interesting that at the parade, after the passage of the military, the servile horsemen brought an Akhal-Teke horse to the podium with the “Patron of the Turkmens” and several times tried to force him to kneel in front of him, but they did not succeed. Either the horse turned out to be a thoroughbred, or they didn’t explain to him who was in front of him.

But the government website “Turkmexpo” stated that “stopping in front of the central stand, the handsome horse bowed before the leader of the nation in a graceful bow.”

There are still few monuments to Berdymukhamedov; the campaign for their mass installation is just beginning.

But Arkadag uses the latest achievements of progress and loves to place his portraits on multimedia screens along the streets. Usually he is depicted either against the background of a light carpet or against the background of a waving flag.

But sometimes he just walks the green carpet towards a brighter future. Here, for the sake of credibility, the main attractions of Ashgabat were placed behind Berdymukhamedov’s back.

In the main newspaper of the country “Neutral Turkmenistan”, writer Gozel Shagulyeva published “A Song of Joy in honor of awarding the esteemed President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the high title “Person of the Year - 2010”” (this title was awarded to him by the Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation of Romania, and many are at a loss , why did he do it). This is what it said:

First of all, I want to say the main thing: I am happy because I am an eyewitness to the great deeds of the great era of the Great Son. I am happy because I consider it my duty to glorify the days of the Renaissance of my country, filled with great deeds, the glory of which spread throughout the world.

The internationally recognized Arkadag, our stronghold, support, hope, reviving with its responsive heart the ancient Silk Road of the Turkmen people, today has turned its Fatherland into a peacekeeping center.<...>

When I see how the grandiose plans of our esteemed President are being implemented, when I listen to his historical speeches, I cannot hold back tears of happiness and pride from excitement. And bright tears roll down my cheeks - like droplets of my inspiration. When great words merge with great deeds, a real miracle occurs that can amaze our consciousness.

Arkadag welcomes you, traveler.

Sometimes you can see the continuity of generations: the golden statue of Turkmenbashi obscures the portrait of Berdymukhamedov.

In 2013, Berdymukhamedov attended the races on the occasion of the Akhal-Teke horse holiday. He wanted to take part in the race himself, and the panel of judges included him in the “Mentor Race”. He rode on his own horse named Berkarar and, unexpectedly for everyone, took first place. The only thing that darkened the crowd's jubilation was the unexpected fall of Berkarar and his rider immediately after the finish.

For a few seconds, the people were numb, but then security guards, security officers and ministers rushed to Berdymukhamedov, who was lying motionless. He was taken away in an ambulance, and spectators waited tensely for about an hour for news. At the end of the event, the president, alive and almost unharmed, nevertheless appeared in public and even talked with the offending horse:

At the end, Berkarar was taken out onto the treadmill. The leader of Turkmenistan, known for his love of horses, tried to kiss the horse, but it recoiled. The President did not retreat, pulling his horse towards him again. The horse was forgiven. The crowd cheered.

As the event ended, exit security began sifting through the crowd. Those who had cameras were taken to a room under the stands and were urged to delete all videos and photographs. To ensure that no one could hide the memory cards, student volunteers monitored the crowd. In addition, foreign citizens and journalists were present at the event: their laptops, tablets and phones were confiscated at the airport. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan reported that several dozen people were then arrested for attempting to take “prohibited materials” abroad.

Be that as it may, winning the race brought the president $11.05 million. He promised to transfer them to the state association “Turkmen Horses”. By the way, the horses that took second and third place also belonged to Berdymukhamedov.

The President participates not only in horse racing, but also in auto racing. He also invariably wins them and even sets records. Usually such events are described like this:

To the thunderous applause of the spectators in the stands, the leader of the nation enters the track. The cars take off and immediately pick up high speed, quickly covering the distance.... But number seven [under which Berdymukhamedov usually races, because 7 is his favorite number] no longer leaves a chance for the opponent.<...>As is known, having been fond of driving cars since childhood, the leader of the nation has established himself as a high-class racing driver. Having demonstrated a high level of control of a sports car, the pilot won a landslide victory... number seven - President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov!

In general, Berdymukhamedov does not miss an opportunity to demonstrate to his subjects that he is in excellent athletic shape.

Berdymukhamedov also loves everything gold. Including gardening equipment. Here is a golden watering can.

And this is a golden car. It is clear that he is a difficult person.

Berdymukhamedov also writes books. He called one of them “A good name is imperishable” and dedicated it to his grandfather Berdimuhamed Annaev, who was a teacher. There are other works entitled “Turkmenistan - a country of healthy and highly spiritual people”, “Ahal-Teke horse is our pride and glory”, “Flight of heavenly horses” and “Medicinal plants of Turkmenistan”. On the initiative of the president, in 2009, copies of the Rukhnama written by Turkmenbashi were confiscated from Turkmen schools. In exchange, Berdymukhamedov's books are brought there.

In 2016, two new books were published at once: “The Source of Wisdom” (a collection of Turkmen proverbs and sayings) and “Tea – Medicine and Inspiration.” Usually Berdymukhamedov presents his new items to their deputy prime ministers and heads of ministries, and they respond by bowing to him from the waist and placing the gift to his forehead.

Berdimuhamedov loves to portray himself against the background of the people, against the background of children and/or elders. There are a lot of portraits where he goes somewhere, young and cheerful, and leads people.

A classic photograph of the leader against the backdrop of a light carpet. This is exactly the standard portrait that almost everyone in Turkmenistan has.

When possible, the portrait is hung directly on the carpet. The frame, of course, must be gold.

This is the ticket office of an entertainment complex with a Ferris wheel. Here Arkadag meets everyone again against the backdrop of children.

Absolutely everyone hangs portraits. They hang at airports, train stations, many administrative buildings and, of course, in the offices of government and other companies. This is, for example, the MTS office. Arkadag is adjacent to the flag and coat of arms of Turkmenistan.

At the hotel.

This is what the stand looked like at one of the exhibitions of our KamAZ. All companies must equip their stand with a portrait of Berdymukhamedov against the background of a carpet, otherwise, they say, things will not go well in the country.

Every year, government agencies and enterprises must update portraits of the president. The country has a special commission that orders, evaluates and approves new portraits. They are different for different institutions: for hospital portraits, Berdymukhamedov is photographed in a white coat, for military departments and intelligence services - in a brown uniform and with a serious face, and for the facades of buildings, the president is photographed in a suit and with his hand raised in greeting. Organizations must purchase portraits at their own expense. For example, last year school teachers bought presidential portraits for their classes for 33 manats (about 650 rubles).

In general, the universal worship of Turkmenbashi is gradually becoming a thing of the past, but the personality cult of his successor continues to grow stronger. Recently Berdymukhamedov decided to erect a monument to himself.

Here he is! The Arkadag monument is a lifetime equestrian monument to Berdymukhamedov. Reminds me of Peter I of St. Petersburg, only bigger)

They opened it like this.

The authorities presented fundraising for the monument as voluntary. But according to journalists from “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”, in fact, the money needed for its construction was simply withheld from the salaries of people in the civil service. According to the plan, the monument was supposed to outshine the famous Arch of Neutrality with the golden figure of Turkmenbashi on top, which had been moved to the outskirts of the city several years earlier.

The period of Berdymukhamedov's first presidential term was called the Great Renaissance. The period of the second term was declared the Age of Power and Happiness.

Good luck to you, dear friends. Continue tomorrow.

Place of birth, education. Born in the village of Babarap, Geok-Tepinsky district, Ashgabat region, Turkmen SSR. In 1979 he graduated from the dental faculty of the Turkmen State Medical Institute. In 1987, he entered graduate school in Moscow, graduating in 1990 and receiving a Candidate of Medical Sciences degree.

Career. Since 1979, he worked in Ashgabat as a dentist. In 1990-1995 held positions of assistant at the department of therapeutic dentistry, associate professor and dean of the dental faculty of the Turkmen State Medical Institute.

In 1995, Berdymukhammedov became director of the dental center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. In May 1997, he was appointed Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. In addition, in 1998, he headed the Saparmurat Niyazov International Medical Center. On April 3, 2001, Berdymukhammedov, in addition to his ministerial position, received the post of Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan, responsible for health, education and science. Since August 2004, he also began to oversee culture and media.

In July 2003, Berdymukhammedov headed the state commission for admission to higher educational institutions, which became possible to enter only after two years of work in the chosen specialty, and not immediately after graduation. Four months later, Berdymukhammedov received a reprimand from the president for the low level of qualifications of Turkmen doctors, but retained his post. In April 2004, Niyazov fined Berdymukhammedov an amount equal to three months' salary for the fact that about half of the wage arrears in Turkmenistan were in the education and health sectors. According to some reports, Berdymukhammedov was at one time Niyazov’s personal physician.

On November 28, 2006, Berdymukhammedov took part in a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS instead of Niyazov. On the night of December 20-21, 2006, Niyazov died of sudden cardiac arrest. On December 21, 2006, Berdymukhammedov became the interim president of Turkmenistan.

On December 26, 2006, Berdymukhammedov was elected chairman of the Congress of the People's Council, which on that day amended the Constitution, adopted the law on presidential elections, set the date for presidential elections and approved six candidates.

On February 12, 2012, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov won an absolute majority of votes (97.14%) in the presidential elections and was recognized as the elected president of Turkmenistan.

On February 2, 2017, he was re-elected head of state for the third time.97.69% of voters voted for him.

Views and assessments. Berdymukhammedov lifted a number of restrictions imposed by Niyazov. Thus, the ban on foreign periodicals, opera and circus was lifted. In addition, the new president opened Internet access to the population. Immediately after taking office, he carried out an education reform, returning the ten-year school period and replacing traditional dresses for girls with modern European-style uniforms. In addition, Berdymukhammedov waged a fight against the personality cult of Turkmenbashi: Niyazov’s name in the text of the oath and anthem was replaced by the word “president”.

Berdymukhammedov's economic policy at this time was characterized by a desire to get closer to the West. In October 2007, Turkmenistan, together with Georgia, refused to sign the CIS Development Concept, which envisaged the formation of an “integrated economic and political association of interested states.” Berdymukhammedov supported the idea of ​​​​building a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, which would allow Europe to receive Turkmen gas bypassing Russia. At the same time, a final agreement was reached between Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia to begin construction of the Caspian gas pipeline, which should increase the volume of Turkmen gas supplies to the Russian Federation.

At Berdymukhammedov's initiative, a Constitution was adopted, which abolished the People's Council, the highest legislative body, and, according to experts, significantly increased the powers of the head of state.

2009 was marked by new reforms. Thus, Berdymukhammedov approved a new military doctrine of Turkmenistan, which preserved its neutral status and provided for the transition of the army to a contract basis.

In 2009, Turkmenistan announced an increase in gas supplies to Iran and the construction of a new Turkmen-Iranian gas pipeline. In addition, Berdymukhammedov announced his country’s readiness to participate in the Nabucco gas pipeline project, bypassing Russia.

In 2013, the privatization of housing was allowed.

In the 2013/14 academic year, schools switched to a 12-year education system. Since 2015, in addition to Russian and English languages, Chinese and Japanese languages ​​have been taught in schools in a number of schools and universities in Turkmenistan.

Regalia. He was awarded many orders and medals, including the highest degree medal named after the national hero of Afghanistan Gaza Amanullah Khan, as well as the UNESCO Avicenna Gold Medal.

Hobbies. Berdymukhammedov loves hunting and perceives it as “a good reason for an extra meeting with the diverse nature of Turkmenistan.”

Family bonds. According to some reports, Berdymukhammedov was married twice: his first wife was Turkmen, the second was Russian. He has one son, three daughters and four grandchildren.

Last week in Russia, all TV channels at once turned into National Geografic with a single two-hour program “Race for the Pike” (with repetitions in all newscasts). Obviously, someone is trying hard to emphasize their masculinity - the best remedy before future elections. However, this “someone” in the world of political alpha males is now officially only the second, because the first is now the President of Turkmenistan.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the current Turkmenbashi and Arkadag (Patron) in one person, set his next record of heroism last week. At military exercises near Ashgabat, Berdimuhamedov showed by personal example how to hit an enemy with a sniper rifle from five meters, frown when throwing a knife at a mock enemy’s hat, and, of course, reload a pistol in the style of Alexander Nevsky. Hero!

But if you think that these are Arkadag’s only superpowers, then shame and twenty years of Turkmen hard labor on your head! Berdimuhamedov is not only the king of the whole world and a role model in the army, but also the ruler of sports. He works out on the gym so enthusiastically and doesn’t even sweat that the entire government, unable to restrain himself (and how can he restrain himself - this is Turkmenistan), rushes to exercise with the same passion.

Arkadag, however, does not need all these pathetic attempts of his plebs - he is above this and is ready to pump himself at any time and without subordinates (but with a television camera and conversations during exercises). Oh, what a bench press he has! What muscles! What a stern, but slightly absent-minded look!

And Arkadag also controls all equipment: from a racing car...

...to some kind of super tank, which automatically dries up after leaving the water (and glows inside under water).

However, as befits any superhero, the bulk of Arkadag’s affairs are far from weapons and aggression. For example, he writes books. If only you knew what kind of books these are! About tea, about horses, about medicinal herbs - a total of 35 items. The only strange thing is that among the books of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov there is not a single collection of tongue twisters.

Even Berdymukhamedov, passing along the road, can open an entire modern village (move over, Gotham!). True, after this the village immediately disappears, but isn’t this evidence of the wonderful essence of Arkadag?!

But Berdymukhamedov's main occupation is his singing. He can sing in any genre. If you want a guitar riff, there will be a riff for you! In the hands of Arkadag, any out-of-tune instrument turns into a cheerful source of music.

If you want a piano, there will be a piano for you. White, but without ballerinas inside (and, apparently, without sound). Arkadag does not accept vulgarity!

The logic of decisions made by the country's leadership, and in some states the political system, is largely determined by the personality of the main leader. the site continues to talk about the biographies, families and hobbies of the leaders of the post-Soviet republics. Previous articles were devoted to the chapters of Uzbekistan. Today the material is about the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Myalikgulyevich Berdimuhamedov.

Son of a communist

The future holder of the title Arkadag (“patron”) was born in 1957 in the village of Babarap, fifty kilometers from Ashgabat, into an intelligent family of school teachers. The leader of Turkmenistan is proud of his parents; he periodically appears with them at public events. In Turkmenistan, military units, streets and squares are named in honor of Arkadag’s grandfather and father; their detailed biographies were published several years ago. From the books you can find out that the president’s grandfather Berdymukhamed Annayev was a rural teacher and school director, during the Great Patriotic War he fought with the rank of corporal, and was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor for his work. The president's father, Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov, is a historian by training, worked at school, then made a career as a correctional officer, rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the internal service, and worked in the apparatus of the Ministry of Fruit and Vegetable Farming of the Turkmen SSR. In the book “Loyal Son of the Motherland,” it is especially noted that the president’s father was a candidate member of the CPSU, was on the commission for preparing holidays in the party committee of the Ministry, and participated in various party and Komsomol meetings.

After graduating from school, the future leader decided to devote himself to healing people. At the age of 23, he graduated from the dental faculty of the Turkmen State Medical Institute and began working as a dentist in rural and urban clinics. In 1987, he went to Moscow for graduate school, and three years later he defended his thesis on the topic “Features of the clinic and pathogenesis of major dental diseases in children born to multiparous women.” Returning home, the future leader of the republic continued to treat patients’ teeth, at the same time deepened his knowledge and gradually became an associate professor, and then the dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. In 2007, when he had already taken the presidency, it was announced that Berdymukhamedov would be awarded the degree of Doctor of Science in Medicine.

At the age of 40 he was appointed Minister of Health. This fact, as well as the fact that in the future he was not subject to numerous purges in the government, gave rise to various gossip. Allegedly, the rapid rise was facilitated by the fact that Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is actually the illegitimate son of the former President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov. Moreover, the external similarity between the former and current leaders is striking. If we hypothetically present this version as true, it turns out that the current leader was born when Niyazov was only 17 years old.

kremlin.ru

Family

The president has many relatives, but very little is known about what they do. Some information can be gleaned from a memo from employees of the US Embassy in Ashgabat for State Department employees in Washington, which was published by the Wikileaks portal. It follows from the document that the Turkmen leader has two daughters and a son, Serdar. The eldest daughter Guljahon lives in London and is married to Ilasgeldy Amanov, a representative of the Turkmen State Agency for the Management and Use of Hydrocarbon Resources in the UK. The youngest Gulshan lives in Paris and is married to Derya Atabaev, an employee of the Turkmen embassy in France; the couple has a villa on the Cote d'Azur. American diplomats also wrote that, according to rumors, Berdymukhamedov has an unofficial Russian wife named Marina, who previously worked as a nurse in the same dental clinic where the head of state worked. Marina, as well as her 22-year-old daughter with the president, according to American embassy workers, lived in London during the period of writing the note in 2010.

More information about son Serdar, born in 1981. In 2001, he received an engineering degree from the Turkmen Agricultural University and since then has become a doctor of science, a member of parliament, a lieutenant colonel, an honored trainer of the country, and in March 2018 he was appointed deputy minister of foreign affairs. Serdar has a wife, three daughters and a son.

Gurbanguly was the only son of his parents, but he has five sisters. Some of them occupy positions of responsibility, for example Gulnabat heads the national organization of the Red Crescent.

Recently, his grandson Kerimguly, the son of his eldest daughter Guljakhon, has often appeared in public with the president. In the summer, Turkmen television showed how the head of state and his grandson performed a rap of their own composition.

All that is known about the president’s wife is that her name is Ogulgerek, and she is the same age as her husband. Sometimes Berdymukhamedov appears in public with his wife, but extremely rarely; she does not give interviews. Arkadag does not like to let others into his family life. But he himself has recently been present in almost every wedding photograph in the country: since 2013, all newlyweds have been required to take a photo in the registry office with the portrait of the president in the background

Handyman

The President of Turkmenistan has many diverse interests. His list of hobbies also includes sports, which he has been involved in since childhood. At the age of 15, the future leader of the nation became the champion of Ashgabat in freestyle wrestling, and a year later - the champion of the republic in shooting. Now he has many sports titles in various international sports associations and federations, personally participates in horse racing and auto racing, and watches football competitions with interest.

Another area of ​​interest is music. The head of state plays the guitar, accordion, keyboards and drums, and composes songs in various genres, from pop and pop to rap. He also loves to sing, both songs of his own composition and those of other authors. This year, the president congratulated the women of the republic on March 8, performing Igor Sarukhanov’s song “Kara-kum”.

Berdymukhamedov also loves to invent and assemble equipment. State television recently showed how the president personally designed and then built a racing car from his own drawings.

But the biggest hobby of the leader of Turkmenistan is writing books, which are translated into many languages ​​of the world by a special staff of translators in the country. Berdimuhamedov wrote volumes, including on the importance of sports, the need to get an education, the benefits of drinking tea, the beauty of music and nature, the importance of water for the national economy, horse breeding, and spiritual self-improvement. The encyclopedic collection in 9 volumes “Medicinal Herbs of Turkmenistan” is recommended for use by all medical institutions of the republic. His latest opus, published in 2018, is called “The Teachings of Arkadag - the basis of health and inspiration.”

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