On October 27, Uzbekistan will hold legislative elections, marking an important stage in implementing the 2023 constitutional reforms and the liberalization envisioned by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, according to an announcement by the Central Election Commission (CEC) on Friday.
Uzbekistan Seeks to Catch Up on Lost Time
For over 25 years, Uzbekistan remained stuck in the limbo of the post-Soviet world. Following its independence in 1991, President Islam Karimov, a former high-ranking member of the Uzbek Communist Party, chose to maintain an authoritarian and collectivist system closely modeled on the Soviet Union. While other Central Asian republics embraced economic and political openness, Uzbekistan sustained a largely ineffective planned economy and preserved the old authoritarian reflexes inherited from the USSR. This legacy continues to weigh heavily on human and social rights, as well as economic power.
Upon Islam Karimov’s death in 2016, his former prime minister, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, assumed the presidency. This transfer of power, however, heralded a radical shift in Uzbekistan’s stance. Mirziyoyev’s unexpected reformist turn included economic liberalization, social reforms, and a democratization program culminating in the 2023 adoption of a new constitution by referendum.
The New Constitution Emphasizes Direct Democracy
The new constitution makes a strong commitment to direct democracy, aiming to involve citizens—long excluded from political decision-making—in driving the reforms and establishing a government that upholds modern standards of the rule of law. Among its provisions are increasing the powers of the Parliament and citizen-led initiation of legislation. Furthermore, civil society and business institutions are integrated into various levels of power to provide advisory opinions.
The institutional reforms pursued by Mirziyoyev’s government aim to continue the economic and social reforms initiated since 2016 while opening a new chapter of political and democratic openness in the country. The new constitution emphasizes political and human rights, fully embracing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for the first time and increasing the number of constitutional norms aimed at protecting citizens’ rights by more than 3.5 times.
Authoritarianism and Corruption: Challenges for Uzbek Authorities
While the socio-economic outcomes of Mirziyoyev’s reform program are impressive, with an average growth rate exceeding 5% and significant progress in international rankings related to economic and social conditions (poverty, education, health, and infrastructure), challenges remain, particularly concerning political freedoms and anti-corruption efforts.
The post-Soviet legacy and Karimov’s centralized authoritarian grip left deep marks on a regime that remains largely centralized. This is a primary focus of the 2023 constitutional reforms: to educate citizens in democratic practices and involve them in decision-making processes. The new constitution also aims to establish the principle “person – society – state” rather than “state – society – person”. Accordingly, local deputy councils have been given more oversight on local executive bodies, thereby strengthening citizens’ trust in state institutions.
The legislative elections, scheduled for October 27, represent an historic step in implementing the new constitution, as the previous National Assembly was elected before the 2023 referendum.