Español
  Français

The Government and Political System in Turkmenistan

You are here: Countries / Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is a presidential republic whose government is run through the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. The Executive Branch has the President as both head of state and head of government, who is elected for a term of five years. With the President who is also commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, is a Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the President with the approval of the National Assembly. The Legislative Branch is the National Assembly with 50 members elected for five years. It enacts bills, approves amendments to the Constitution, ratifies legislative bills proposed by the President, the Cabinet Ministers, and the individual members of the legislature. The Judicial Branch consists of the Supreme Court established by the Constitution in 1992, with 22 judges appointed by the President for a five-year term, but whose functions are limited to the review of laws on constitutionality issues. Among the organizations that also help run the government are the Cabinet of Ministers, the National or People’s Council, and the Council of Elders. The Cabinet of Ministers is composed of the heads of various government ministries or departments while the People’s Council, which is also established by the Constitution, is composed of the President, Deputies of the National Assembly, members of the Supreme Court, the Supreme Economic Court, representatives elected from the districts for the National Council, and officials of scientific and cultural organizations.

The Council of Elders is headed by the President, and is also a creation of the Constitution. It is consulted by the President on the selection of presidential candidates and on decisions related to both foreign and domestic affairs.