Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 09/2014

Exploring Uzbekistan's Potential Political Transition

Alexey Malashenko

July 2014

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Abstract

Islam Karimov has essentially been in power in Uzbekistan since 1989. Rumors abound that Karimov will not take part in the country’s next presidential election in 2015, but it seems likely that he will participate. If he does, he is guaranteed to win. Though it is still too early to talk about the chances specific candidates have of replacing Karimov, it is important to look closely at the current ruling elite and the president’s possible successors to see where the country might be heading.