In 2021 President Shavkat Mirziyoyev won a second five-year term, winning 80.1 percent of the vote. Since succeeding the authoritarian Islam Karimov (who ruled for 25 years before he died in office), President Shavkat has introduced gradual reform including restricting the power of the security services, encouraging foreign trade and investment and allowing more political freedom. He has looked to better relations with neighbouring countries as well as the USA, China and Russia. Shavkat served as Prime Minister from 2013-2016 before being elected President.
Source of Influence: Political
Status: Featured in current year