The constitutional referendum in Uzbekistan proposing to strengthen the power of President Shavkat Mirzioev, who claims to want to open a new era of development in this former Soviet republic of Central Asia, has been approved by more than 90%, announced Monday the Election Commission .
Among its main measures are the passage from the five-year term to the seven-year term and the reset of the two presidential terms, which in theory will allow the current head of state, aged 65, to remain in power until 2040. .
According to the preliminary results, the change of Constitution was approved by 90.21% with 84.54% of participation, an unsurprising result, Uzbekistan is still considered by many NGOs as an authoritarian state despite recent reforms .
The authorities maintained during the campaign that the modification of two thirds of the Constitution would make it possible to democratize the country and improve the standard of living of the 35 million inhabitants, whose rights have long been flouted by a repressive regime. But President Mirzioev will be the main beneficiary.
Mr. Mirzioev has been trying to present a more modern face since 2016 and the death of his predecessor, the cruel Islam Karimov, of whom he was the faithful Prime Minister for thirteen years.
Among the novelties, the prohibition of the death penalty and respect for human rights are constitutionalized in this fairer “New Uzbekistan” that Mr. Mirzioev boasts.
The adoption of the text was beyond doubt after a one-sided campaign, in a state where the press is still largely controlled. And the only attempt to oppose it had been crushed in blood.
In July 2022 in Karakalpakstan (north-west), demonstrations against a constitutional amendment, since withdrawn, which would have reduced the autonomy of this immense poor territory in the north of the country, left 21 dead, according to a report by the authorities.
01/05/2023 12:59:28 – Tashkent (AFP) © 2023 AFP