Turkmenistan authorities have said the son of the Central Asian country’s leader won the presidential election after an unusual vote-counting delay, establishing a political dynasty in one of the world’s most tightly controlled countries. Serdar, 40, secured 72.97 percent of votes in Saturday’s election to lead the gas-rich country and succeed his father Gurbanguly, the central election commission said on Tuesday. His nearest rival in a field of nine candidates was university official Khyrdyr Nunnayev, who won 11 percent.
There was an unexpected wait for the result, after authorities said on Sunday, as they needed more time to count the votes. Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, 64, announced the vote last month, saying the country should be run by younger people. He had been the country’s leader since he was first appointed acting president when the eccentric Saparmurat Niyazov died in December 2006. Serdar Berdymukhamedov has risen through a series of increasingly prominent government posts and most recently has served as the country’s deputy prime minister, answering directly to his father. He recently turned 40, the minimum age for president according to the Turkmen law. “My main goal is to continue on the glorious path of development built during 30 years of independence and to successfully implement programs aimed at ensuring a high level of social conditions for the people,” Serdar Berdymukhamedov said while presenting his platform in a televised speech. Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot, he promised to continue the country’s neutral foreign policy if elected.
Read more here: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/15/turkmenistan-leaders-son-wins-…
