Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov Elected to Take Over Turkmenistan
As many as 89.23 percent in Turkmenistan voted for Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov at the presidential elections, announced Murad Karryev, chief of the Central Election Commission of the country. Berdymukhammedov’s closest rival in the presidential race – Amanniyaz Atadzhikov – was supported by less than 4 percent of the voters, while another formal runner, Ishankuli Nuryev, gathered just 2.38 percent during the elections attended by 98.65 percent, i.e. over 2,677,000 voters in Turkmenistan.
Berdymukhammedov officially took over the country for the following five years once he was approved by the parliament and swore the oath. In Turkmenistan, the president is also the commander-in-chief and prime minister of the country.
During inauguration, the new president vowed to honor international commitments of Turkmenistan, increase the number of jobs, maintain social benefits, introduce compulsory secondary education of ten years, revive physical training lessons and learning foreign languages. Berdymukhammedov also promised to develop private business and fund public health.
kommersant.com
Buck!
I've been enjoying your close coverage of Turkmenistani politics. Someone has to pick up the slack, eh?
Posted by Olaf | 12:24 pm, February 14, 2007
Thanks ollie! I appreciate the compliment. You would be shocked at the traffic I have had thru the site for these stories. Tons and tons of hits from Turkey, Azerbijan, Russia, Iran, etc.
I am going to try and do a bit of international stuff from time to time. (I love the names - like Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov) ((gir - ban - gooly Birdie - mook - hammed - off))
Posted by leftdog | 6:48 pm, February 14, 2007
Following this too. Refreshing to get news from underreported upon parts of the world.
Would be grand if you found someone actually in the country.
Posted by Not Your Mama | 6:13 am, February 15, 2007
mama - I had no idea how many people are on line from some of these remote places. On my 'site meter' I can see where most of my visitors originate from. Like I said, who knew that there were bloggers from some of these near eastern nations.
Posted by leftdog | 6:36 am, February 15, 2007
The names are great,
As an Azerbaijani national, with the birth name of Gurgabolicinokali Bangulikanovskihodovmaskolini, I understand the appeal of central European names.
Posted by Olaf | 11:26 pm, February 15, 2007
Ollie ... help me out phonetically with that wonderful handle ....
Posted by leftdog | 11:29 pm, February 15, 2007