Overview

Turkmenistan achieved independence from the Soviet Union on October 27, 1992, following 80 years as an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. Saparmurat Niyazov, former chairman of the Turkmen Supreme Soviet, was elected president after declaring sovereignty in late 1991. Niyazov played an instrumental role in crafting the country's new constitution, ensuring the government remained largely subservient to the president. His position as an authoritarian ruler of Turkmenistan was...