New election to reflect old ‘democracy’

The man who unexpectedly became acting leader of Turkmenistan after the death of Saparmurad A. Niyazov pledged that the presidential election would be democratic, but only in the late dictator’s interpretation of the word.

Niyazov, who died Thursday at age 66, outlawed opposition parties and served as president for life. He tolerated no dissent, personally approved the content of all newspapers and had authorities block websites critical of his rule.

The election, whose date will be set next week by the nation’s top legislative body, “will be held on a democratic basis that has been laid by the great leader,” acting President Gurbungaly Berdimukhamedov said in a decree.