Content deleted Content added
Line 63:
== Politics ==
Go go Turkmenbashi
{{main|Politics of Turkmenistan}}
[[President for Life]] [[Saparmurat Niyazov]], a former bureaucrat of the Communist Party of the [[Soviet Union]], has ruled Turkmenistan since [[1985]], when he became head of the local branch of the Communist Party. He retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. The president's party, the [[Democratic Party of Turkmenistan|Democratic Party]] (the former Communists), is the only one legally permitted. Turkmenistan is dominated by an all-pervasive [[cult of personality]] extolling President Niyazov as '''Turkmenbashi''' ("Leader of all Turkmen"). His face adorns almost everything in Turkmenistan, from banknotes to bottles of [[vodka]]. The logo of Turkmen national television is his profile. The two books he had written are mandatory readings in schools, motorclubs, and homes. Institutions that cannot be named after him are named after his mother. All watches and clocks made must bear his portrait printed on the dial-face. A 15-meter (50 feet) tall gold-plated giant statue stands on a rotating pedestal, so it will always face into the sun and shine light onto the capital city. In reality, Niyazov is a very short person, barely taller than 150 centimeters (5 feet).
| |||