Uzbekistan Deliberates a Broad Constitutional Refresh and a Seven-Year Presidential Term
Uzbekistan is moving toward a wider constitutional framework as draft provisions outline a seven-year presidential term and a sizable expansion of the legal code. The plan would extend the presidency from five years to seven, signaling a notable shift in the country’s political architecture. This change sits at the center of a broader effort to refresh governing rules and align them with evolving national priorities, a topic closely followed by observers of Uzbek politics.
Alongside the term extension, the draft constitution proposes the addition of 27 new articles, increasing the total number of provisions that shape the country’s legal and institutional landscape. The expansion is presented as a way to reflect contemporary governance needs and to codify new norms across areas such as civil rights, institutional oversight, and public administration.
In a formal session, the Senate, which functions as the upper house, endorsed a decision from the Legislative Assembly, the lower chamber, to organize a nationwide referendum on the draft constitutional text on April 30. The move was framed as a decisive step in the constitutional reform process, inviting citizens to participate directly in shaping the foundational rules of the state.
Reports from the parliament indicated high levels of support for the referendum plan, with 134 lawmakers voting in favor, two abstaining, and one member not casting a ballot. The vote underscored broad cross-party agreement on the path forward, even as some members chose to withhold their formal yes or no.
According to the parliamentary channel, the constitutional reform would see the total number of legal norms expand from 275 to 434, while the core index of the constitution would rise from 128 to 155. The recalibration of the legal corpus is described as a systematic modernization, aiming to clarify rights and responsibilities for citizens and officials while streamlining how laws are organized and referenced.
On March 10, deputies from the Legislative Assembly convened to set the referendum date for April 30. A few days later, on March 14, Uzbekistan’s Constitutional Court affirmed the rationale for holding the referendum on the same date, aligning court validation with legislative and executive actions in the reform timeline.
In a briefing, Sherzod Asadov, the president’s press secretary, noted that the draft amendment law was prepared after a substantial public input process, having reviewed more than 200,000 proposals. The breadth of this engagement reflects an intent to produce constitutional changes that resonate with a broad cross-section of Uzbek society, even as the formal legislative chain moves toward a definitive public vote.
Analysts observing Uzbekistan’s constitutional evolution highlight a broader pattern: reform efforts aim to balance stability with reform, maintaining continuity while expanding rights, institutions, and governance mechanisms. The proposed seven-year presidential term, if approved, would mark a deliberate recalibration of executive tenure and political cycles, potentially influencing how policy continuity and long-term planning are pursued in the republic.
Proponents of the draft argue that increasing the constitutional norm count and extending the presidency could create clearer, more durable rules for executive compensation, accountability, and the oversight functions of parliament and the judiciary. Critics, meanwhile, emphasize the need for robust sectoral protections, transparent processes, and avenues for citizen input beyond referenda. The referendum on April 30 provides a direct mechanism for public judgment on these shifts, with official results expected to shape subsequent legislative and administrative actions.
Beyond procedural details, observers emphasize that constitutional reform in Uzbekistan is part of a broader regional discourse about governance, development, and the balance between tradition and modernization. As reform advocates frame the process as inclusive and evidence-based, the public dialogue surrounding the referendum is shaping expectations for future governance and the institutional architecture that will guide the country in the coming decades.
In sum, the draft amendments articulate a broad vision for a more expansive legal framework, greater executive tenure, and an updated set of norms that seek to reflect contemporary realities while preserving foundational political stability. The April 30 referendum stands as a pivotal moment in Uzbekistan’s constitutional journey, with the outcome poised to influence policy direction, institutional interaction, and citizen rights for years to come.
Notes: The information above reflects parliamentary and official communications regarding the draft constitutional amendments and the planned referendum, with official remarks and updates provided by state channels and the presidency’s communications office. Citation: Uzbek legislative and executive sources.