Uzbek president’s problems will mount in long term

Significance

Constitutional change could keep him in power until 2037, providing an opportunity to transform Uzbekistan’s socio-economic conditions. However, significant domestic and foreign policy challenges, left unresolved, could pose serious threats. Mirzioyev’s primary domestic concerns centre on Uzbekistan’s rapidly growing population, which was less than 21 million at independence in late 1991, and now numbers more than 36 million.

Impacts

• As socio-economic problems grow, Mirzioyev’s government will try to tighten its grip over domestic politics and the population.
• The government is likely to take on more foreign loans to sustain agriculture and meet the basic needs of a growing population.
• Mirzioyev’s administration will strive to find countries able to fill the wide roles Russia plays in Uzbekistan.