Uzbekistan’s Legislative Elections: Mirziyoyev Poised to Capitalize on Economic Gains
The Uzbekistan’s elections will take place on October 27, as announced by the Central Election Commission (CEC) in a statement on Friday. This election will allow President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to continue his ambitious economic and social reform agenda.
Uzbekistan: The Economic Awakening of a Central Asian Giant
Uzbekistan, the largest country in Central Asia with a population of around 37 million, has long been a sleeping giant in the ruins of the Soviet empire. For a quarter of a century, the country was tightly controlled by Islam Karimov, the former first secretary of the Uzbek Communist Party who became Uzbekistan’s first president upon its independence in 1991.
Unlike other countries in the region that immediately embraced market economies and liberalization, Karimov’s Uzbekistan pursued collectivization and a centralized, planned economy. This political and economic stagnation persisted until Karimov’s death in 2016 and the subsequent election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who opted for openness and reform.
As a result, the Uzbek economy has recorded remarkable performances over the past decade, with average GDP growth exceeding 5% per year. Poverty rates have significantly decreased, and Uzbekistan has gradually become an attractive destination for international investors, praised for its economic dynamism and political stability.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev: From Authoritarian Heir to Reformist President
Following the death of Islam Karimov, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a regime insider and Prime Minister since 2003, was elected president. Most observers expected this election to maintain the authoritarian status quo. However, Mirziyoyev quickly initiated a series of political, social, and economic reforms aimed at liberalizing the country.
In 2017, a floating exchange rate for the national currency, the soum, was introduced to curb the black market for currencies. The tax system was completely overhauled and streamlined, and the government launched a broad privatization movement. Simultaneously, massive investments were made to modernize the country’s infrastructure.
On the social front, the government reformed the education system to modernize curricula and improve teachers’ living conditions. Healthcare, access to medical services, and social protection were also strengthened through national social aid programs. The impact of these reforms have been reflected in global socio-economic rankings.
Legislative Elections: An Election with Predictable Outcomes but Democratic Aspirations
The legislative elections on October 27 are not expected to bring about significant political change, with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s majority likely to be reinforced. Nevertheless, this election is set to cement the democratic advancements of Uzbekistan’s new constitution, approved by referendum in 2023, which promotes direct democracy and greater citizen involvement in the political process.
For instance, the new constitution stipulates that citizens have a right to legislative initiative.
More significantly, the new constitution fully incorporates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for the first time and has increased the number of constitutional norms aimed at protecting citizens’ rights by over 3.5 times. The legislative elections on October 27 will be the first legislative vote since the enactment of the new constitution.
