Proměny politické elity postsovětského Turkmenistánu
Changes in the Political Elite in Post-Soviet Turkmenistan

Summary/Abstract: The article analyzes the transformation of the Turkmen elites under presidents Saparmyrat Nyýazow and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. Although the rise of the current elites can be traced back to the pre-Soviet era, it is the Soviet legacy, the tradition of strong leadership and the personality of the leader that determine the character of the political elite in Turkmenistan and its ruling regime. While Nyýazow was at the birth of Turkmenistan’s post-Soviet political culture with its cronyism and corruption, Berdimuhamedow has further fortified clan loyalties drawing on extensive family ties and firm regional backing.

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