Official name

Republic of Uzbekistan

Legal system

The Soviet republic of Uzbekistan declared its independence on September 1st 1991, after the failure of the Moscow coup. A new constitution was adopted on December 8th 1992, declaring Uzbekistan a multiparty democracy and a presidential republic

National legislature

A bicameral parliament, the Oliy Majlis (Supreme Assembly), was elected in two stages in December 2004 and January 2005, replacing the unicameral 250-member legislature. Following the election in December 2009, the Legislative Chamber, the lower house of the new parliament, comprises 135 members chosen by direct election. The 100-member upper house, the Senate, is made up of 84 senators elected by local governments and 16 senators appointed by the president

Electoral system

Universal suffrage over the age of 18

National elections

December 2009 (parliamentary); December 2007 (presidential). Next elections due in December 2014 (parliamentary and presidential)

Head of state

Islam Karimov, re-elected president with 88% of the vote on December 23rd 2007

National government

Council of Ministers, headed by the prime minister, who is nominated by parliament on the recommendation of the president. In practice, Mr Karimov exercises total control and appoints regional governors, who report directly to him

Main political parties

Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party; Fidokorlar (Self-Sacrificers' Party); Liberal Democratic Party (LDP); People's Democratic Party (PDP, former Communist Party); Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival), all pro-government creations; Birlik (Unity) and Erk (Freedom), both banned democratic parties

Council of Ministers

Prime minister: Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Deputy prime ministers:

;Rustam Azimov

;Rustam Kasymov

;Gulomdzhon Ibragimov

;Nodirkhon Khanov

;Farida Akbarova

;Abdulla Aripov

;Elyor Ganiyev

Key ministers

Agriculture & water: Sayfiddin Ismailov

Culture: Rustam Kurbanov

Defence: Kabul Berdiyev

Economy: Vyacheslav Golyshev

Education: Avazjon Marakhimov

Emergency situations: Bakhtiyor Subanov

Finance: Rustam Azimov

Foreign affairs: Elyor Ganiyev

Health: Feruz Nazirov

Interior: Bakhodir Matlyubov

Justice: Buritosh Mustafaev

Labour & social protection: Akiljan Abidov

National Security Service chairman

Rustam Inoyatov

Central Bank chairman

Faizulla Mullazhanov