Yesterday saw the opening of the 16th session of the Khalk Maslahaty (People’s Council), the highest representative and legislative body of Turkmenistan. However, it was not all plain sailing. During one debate all members of the Council, bar one, rejected a proposal that had been put forward by the President. Alas, if you were expecting a surprise show of steel from the members of the Council, think again. The president was proposing to hold new presidential elections in 2009, however the Council, realising that this was not consistent with their decision to appoint Turkmenbashi president for life in 1999, voted against their own presidents proposal. President Niyazov had philosophically requested that the elections be held once he turned 70. Understanding his own mortality he stated, “nothing is forever, nobody is forever”, before going on to claim that in the next 4-5 years Turkmenistan needs to “grow a worthy successor”. According to Kommersant, the Council members interrupted the president’s speech chanting, “People! Motherland! Great Turkmenbashi!” After the vote the president thanked the members for their kind words but stressed that he will be bringing the motion to hold presidential elections back again at sometime in the future. The Council rejected a similar proposal last year. Finding a suitable successor and managing that person’s transition into the presidency seems to have become a priority for the president of late. This summer’s recent spate of dismissals has been seen by some as a clearing of the decks to make sure that those in the regime are loyal to the president and have limited ambitions. It is hoped a successor can be picked from new recruits. It seems, however, the president will have to wait a little longer to get his wish of new elections in 2009 and his chance to grow a worthy successor.