Chairman of Turkmenistan’s upper chamber (Halk Maslahaty) of parliament Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow proposed to make amendments to change the country’s Constitution to bring back the unicameral parliament Mejlis and to transform Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) into the highest representative body, which it was before the previous change of the Constitution in 2020, Turkmenistan Golden Age reports.
Mr. Berdimuhamedow put forward initiative on January 11 at a joint meeting of members of both chambers of the parliament. He explained the proposal by “the need to improve the legislature based on the real needs of the time.” An appropriate commission will be created to amend the Constitution.
The People's Council members will include the chairman of the current Council (Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow), the president of the country (his son Serdar Berdimuhamedow), the chairman and members of the Mejlis, the chairman of the Supreme Court, the secretary of the Security Council, members of the Cabinet of Ministers, the ombudsman, the prosecutor-general, heads of regional units, representatives of the public.
The revived body will have the right to approve amendments to the Constitution of Turkmenistan and directions of the foreign and domestic policy of the state, approve the country's development programs, consider issues of security and peace, and “exercise other powers provided for by the laws of Turkmenistan.”
All members of the Parliament "fully supported" the idea of Arkadag (“Protector”, an official nickname of former Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow).
The next meeting of members of both houses of parliament will be held on January 21. It is planned that representatives of the public will take part.
