State in Turkmenistan

The Constitution and laws form the legal framework of the state, and publicly applicable rules must be officially made known. Turkmen is the state language. The President, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is the highest official, head of state and head of the executive branch. He is responsible under the constitutional system for independence, neutrality, territorial integrity, the Constitution and fundamental rights, serves as Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and issues decrees, decisions and orders that bind the country. Since 2023, the Halk Maslakhaty has been the highest representative body of popular power and a constitutional body. Its chair, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, holds the title of National Leader. The Halk Maslakhaty is distinct from local Halk maslahatlary. The Mejlis is a one-chamber legislature with 125 deputies, eight committees and five-year terms. The Cabinet of Ministers is the executive and administrative body; the President chairs it, and a new Cabinet is formed within one month after the President takes office. Deputy chairpersons, ministers, ministries and other state bodies implement executive functions. The Supreme Court and other courts administer justice. The President appoints and dismisses judges, and the system has no special courts. Turkmenistan has five velayats: Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap and Mary. Aşgabat and Arkadag operate as cities with their own budget units. Below the velayat level are etraps, cities, towns, settlements, gengeshliks and villages. Local state administration is carried out by velayat, etrap and city häkimliks. The President appoints and dismisses häkims, who are accountable within the state administration. Local Halk maslahatlary have elected members and deal with local budgets, development programs and public order. A Geňeş is a local self-government body rather than part of state power; it has elected members, its own budget and property, local charges within its authority, and an Arçyn as its head. Administrative boundaries can change. A Mejlis resolution of 19 September 2025 created seven etraps: Altyn Asyr in Ahal; Garashsyzlyk and Gubadag in Dashoguz; Dovletli, Farap and Garabekevul in Lebap; and Oguzhan in Mary. The Ministry of Agriculture and the relevant häkimliks determine the boundaries and centers, and etrap courts were adjusted from 1 October 2025. Anyone relying on an administrative unit, court or local authority should check the current Mejlis act and local implementation. People can address the President, Mejlis, Cabinet of Ministers, ministries, häkimliks or Geňeş bodies. Access to state service is based on ability and professional qualifications, although the concrete recruitment process depends on the institution. Courts provide legal protection against unlawful acts by state bodies, local authorities and officials. A person may seek compensation for unlawful conduct and legal assistance, including assistance free of charge where the law provides for it. General duties include complying with the Constitution and laws, paying taxes and other required payments, protecting the environment and, for male Turkmen citizens, performing general military service. Fees and deadlines depend on the procedure; no single central schedule covering all public services is established by the available information. The financial and credit system covers the state budget at all levels, the Central Bank, credit institutions and other financial institutions. The manat is the national currency. The Central Bank conducts monetary policy, manages cash circulation and payment and settlement systems, protects creditors and depositors, and manages international reserves. For 2026, planned state-budget revenue and expenditure each amount to 131,845.1 million manat. The centralized budget is 119,703.3 million manat; the first-level budget is 36,500.0 million manat, including 24,358.2 million in centralized funds; local budgets total 15,521.0 million manat; and 3,379.2 million manat in equalization funds is allocated to Arkadag, Dashoguz and Lebap. Protected spending includes wages, pensions, state benefits and scholarships. Regional tax shares are set separately for 2026. A deficit may be financed through state bonds and or remaining cash balances, and the Ministry of Finance and Economy may adjust budget allocations when new legal acts or their implementation require it. Financial oversight combines external and internal controls. The Higher Control Chamber, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, local finance and tax authorities, and internal control units examine legality, justification and efficiency. The Higher Control Chamber and the Ministry set control standards, subject to presidential approval. The Ministry submits quarterly reports to the Cabinet. Suspected crimes or administrative offences are referred to the competent enforcement or offence authority. The Prosecutor General and subordinate prosecutors supervise legality, including operational searches and preliminary investigations. Courts provide judicial protection. The Ombudsman is a state office elected by the Mejlis from three candidates proposed by the President. The term is five years, with no more than two consecutive terms. Citizens, foreigners and stateless persons may submit complaints. The Ombudsman generally expects a person to use available court or administrative complaint procedures first. The office may conduct unannounced inspections, including at state bodies, detention facilities and the armed forces, and issues annual reports. In 2024, written complaints fell by 17 compared with 2023, while oral complaints fell by 7. The Constitution recognizes political pluralism, a multiparty system, freedom of association and freedom of religion. Religious organizations are separate from the state. The Media Law covers print, broadcast and online media and sets out formal freedoms of information and expression, access to information held by state bodies, and a prohibition on censorship as a legal principle. State and local media and online media are generally subject to registration. Authorities, political parties and associations, legal entities and citizens aged 18 or older may establish media under the applicable rules. The Cabinet determines media policy and designated regulators perform related functions. Legal restrictions cover calls for violence against the constitutional order, threats to sovereignty or territorial integrity, hatred and discrimination, pornography and drugs, disinformation, and interference with the administration of justice. This legal framework does not by itself establish the practical level of pluralism or implementation. The State Security Council operates under the President. Security functions involve the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of National Security, State Border Service, Prosecutor General, Supreme Court, Adalat, customs and migration authorities. Their responsibilities include defence of the state and borders, internal order, crime prevention, traffic and fire safety, national interests and stability, and legality supervision. The Defence Doctrine describes national defence as defensive, while permanent neutrality provides the wider security and foreign-policy framework. Detailed access, cost and deadline information for security-related functions is generally not publicly derivable because of confidentiality.