Five years ago, on April 19, 2018, Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament (Majlisi Oli) endorsed a draft law on amendments to the country’s law on state finances. The amendments, in particular, provided for setting up the Fund of the Leader of Nation.
The law came into force on May 15, 2018 after passing other mandatory state procedures.
However, the Fund of the Leader of Nation is still inactive, because the law says that the Fund will be replenished at the expense of the national budget and the money will begin to be transferred to it after President Emomali Rahmon who was given the title “The Leader of Nation” leaves the presidency.
Recall, the then Minister of Justice Rustam Shohmurod told lawmakers on April 19, 2018 that 0.2 percent of the national budget would be transferred to the Fund of the Leader of Nation annually.
For example, if this Fund acted today, it would take 74 million somonis (equivalent to 6.8 million US dollars) to replenish (equivalent to some 5 million U.S. dollars).
Recall, the Majlisi Namoyandagon endorsed the bill designating Rahmon “The Leader of Nation” on December 9, 2015.
The bill titled “On Founder of Peace and Accord – the Leader of Nation” was worked out by a group of deputies of Majlisi Namoyandagon.
The law officially designates Rahmon “the founder of peace and national unity of Tajikistan” and states that he cannot be prosecuted for anything he has done while in office.
The law also determines powers of the Leader and stipulates that he will be provided with transport, dwelling and social benefits after leaving the presidency.
Besides, the law gives Rahmon the right to appeal to the nation and participate in important government events and address them after leaving the presidency.
A constitutional referendum that was held in Tajikistan on May 22, 2016 amended Article 65 to remove term limits on the President of Tajikistan. On a practical level, incumbent President Emomali Rahmon would be allowed to run for re-election indefinitely under the changes.
The Fund of the Leader of Nations should not be confused with the Presidential Reserve Fund, which performs the function of a stabilization fund. Its funds can be directed to various priority needs and charitable activities.
The national budget annually earmarks 1.5 percent to be channeled to the Presidential Reserve Fund. Thus, the 2023 budget earmarked 495.4 million somonis (equivalent to US$45.4 million) for the Presidential reserve Fund.
