Father Berdimuhammedov’s regional visits. ‘Life Stops’ |
Last weekend, the authoritarian former president of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov went to Mari region of the country. Before the trip, the streets were cleaned, the buildings were painted, and the fields were weeded.
It was ordered not to show dark-colored cars for several days. The cars of those who did not obey the order were taken away by the traffic police.
20The son who ruled the country since 2007 and came to power in March of this year SardarBerdymuhammedov, who transmits a, is also known for his love of white color and cleanliness.
On November 12, 65-year-old Berdimuhammedov went to cotton and grain fields in Mari in a brand new white car. currently he of parliament holds the position of chairman of the upper chamber, political its power has not decreased at all.
Serious preparations have been made for the arrival of “one of the Berdimuhamedovs” in the Balkan region in the west of the country. Thousands of people were involved in this work.
Although regional officials tried their best to please the country’s leaders, ordinary citizens did not seem so keen.
Some residents of Mari told RFE/RL that expensive preparations for such trips are not suitable for the people drowning in poverty.
“This is an unnecessary burden at a time when we make a living by force. Despite the terrible economic situation, we still can’t get rid of Berdimuhammedov.” – said a local resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The fourth richest natural in the world gas Turkmenistan, located on the fields, is suffering from financial crisis and food shortage.
But the country’s officials still the presidentor his father to a region trip when they do, they go out of their skin to create a false image of well-being.
Local officers thousands of people to sweep the streets, paint the houses, whitehungry they mobilize to plant. Hundreds of children and old people national they are forced to wear clothes and welcome guests at various ceremonies.
This week, around 2,500 people in the Balkan region – mostly public sector workers – were taken from their workplaces to prepare the port city of Turkmenbashi for the arrival of guests. The news was given by local sources.
Small markets during such trips, fruit-vegetable stalls are ordered to close. This is often done for security reasons or even just to not “spoil” the image. Turkmens the president when they arrive, they say that “life has stopped” in their cities.
Sources close to the local government of Mari told RFE/RL that the officials wanted the fields here to be perfect, so that Berdimuhammedov would like them when he saw them from the helicopter.
To residents and village the owners of the cafes were ordered not to light the fire until the former leader left. After all, people in most villages are forced to heat their homes with wood. However, security services have been deployed in the area to ensure that people obey the order.
Until the last day, official sources did not provide information about which Berdimuhammedov – father or son – was the guest. It is typical for the government of Turkmenistan to keep information about leaders confidential.
The next day, state television showed father Berdimuhammedov talking to farmers. He chats with a smartly dressed farmer whose black suits are surprisingly identical officers they were writing something on their green notepads.
This was the second visit of the former president to Mari region since the beginning of September.
Berdimuhammedov attended the Samarkand summit of the Organization of Turkic States, and the next day he visited this region located in the south-east of the country. trip did. Although all other countries were represented at the summit at the level of presidents, Sardar Berdimuhammedov did not participate in the event.