Uzbekistan’s Cabinet resigns in line with constitutional requirements

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has announced its intention to resign following the election of a new Oliy Majlis (parliament).

A decree to this effect was signed by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov on November 19, Caliber.Az reports citing Uzbek media.

In accordance with the presidential decree, the current government will continue to function until a new Cabinet is formed to ensure continuity in governance, as stated by the Prime Minister's Press Secretary, Bekzod Khidoyatov.

As per the Constitution (Article 116) and the Law on the Cabinet of Ministers (Article 7), the government, including the Prime Minister and ministers, is required to submit its resignation to the newly elected parliament following the Oliy Majlis elections. This is a standard procedure to facilitate the restart of the executive branch after the legislature has been renewed.

Once the new parliament is formed, the President of Uzbekistan will, after consulting with all political party factions, submit the nomination of a new Prime Minister to the Legislative Chamber within one month. The nominee will then present a program of action for the Cabinet of Ministers, both short-term and long-term. If more than half of the Legislative Chamber's deputies vote in favor, the Prime Minister’s nomination is approved.

Following the approval of the Prime Minister, the process of forming a new government begins. The President appoints members of the Cabinet, including Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers, after receiving approval from the Legislative Chamber. For these appointments to be confirmed, they must receive more than half of the votes from MPs.

It is not uncommon for some ministers to remain in their positions following elections, particularly if their performance has been positively assessed and they align with the new government’s priorities. However, some ministers may be replaced based on the political agenda and challenges facing the new parliament and government.

In the 2020 elections, the newly elected MPs approved all 35 ministers and deputy prime ministers nominated.

Uzbekistan held regular parliamentary elections on October 27, where deputies were elected for the first time to a new five-year term under a mixed majority-proportional system. Of the 150 seats in the lower house, 75 were elected in single-member districts, while the remaining 75 were elected from a single district based on votes cast for political parties. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan emerged with the majority of votes.

By Tamilla Hasanova