Uzbekistan’s Transformation: Strategies and Perspectives

A new start emerging from the 
shadows of the past. 
After Karimov’s death, which was officially an-
nounced in early September 2016, the experienced 
and well connected Mirziyoyev was quickly seen 
as one of the most likely successors.
8
Speculation 
became fact on 8 September when the chairman of 
the senate, Nigmatilla Yuldashev (who, under Article 
96 of the constitution, should actually have assumed 
the president’s responsibilities until an election could 
be held), proposed the more experienced Mirziyoyev 
as interim president. Both chambers of parliament 
followed his recommendation, citing the need to pre-
serve stability and public order.
9
This indicates how 
concerned the relevant strategic groups were to en-
sure a smooth transition, which is never a certainty 
even in a consolidated autocracy. 
The outcome of the presidential election on 4 De-
cember 2016 was predictable. Mirziyoyev received 
6 President Mirziyoyev’s official biography can be found 
on the website of the Uzbek embassies: https://www.uzbek 
embassy.org/e/president/ (accessed 30 June 2020). 
7 For example a diplomatic cable from the US embassy in 
Tashkent dated August 2008: https://wikileaks.org/plusd/ 
cables/08TASHKENT977_a.html (accessed 30 June 2020). 
8 Dell, “Lifeless Uzbek Election Hides Power Struggle” 
(see note 2); Abdurasulov, “Intrigue and Power Games” 
(see note 2). 
9 “Informatsionnoe soobshzhenie o sovmestnom zasedanii 
Zakonodatel’noy palaty i senata Olij Mazhlisa Respubliki 
Uzbekistan” [Information about a joint session of the Legis-
lative Chamber and the Senate of the Parliament of the 
Republic of Uzbekistan], 8 September 2016, https://www.gov. 
uz/ru/news/view/7246 (accessed 30 June 2020). 
88.6 percent to defeat three other candidates. Although 
the election was accompanied by numerous irregular-
ities,
10
these are unlikely to have significantly swayed 
the outcome. Under Uzbek electoral law each candi-
date had been nominated by one of the four political