Uzbekistan is set to vote in a parliamentary election on October 29, 2024. This election is expected to produce a legislature loyal to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who has been in power since 2016. The new mixed election system allows half of the 150 deputies to be elected by political parties, while the other half are individually nominated. Mirziyoyev's administration has maintained tight control over political power, with no opposition parties allowed to participate, leading to a parliament that typically approves laws drafted by the cabinet [a6c6ce95].
Recent tensions with Russia have surfaced, particularly highlighted by Alisher Qodirov's comments regarding Russian interference in Uzbekistan's internal affairs. Despite these tensions, Uzbekistan has maintained a neutral stance in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing its commitment to sovereignty and independence in foreign policy [a6c6ce95].
In a broader context, Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Uzbekistan earlier this year marked a significant moment in bilateral relations, as he discussed cooperation on gas supplies and economic partnerships. However, the political landscape in Uzbekistan remains tightly controlled, with the upcoming elections likely to reinforce Mirziyoyev's power [c75ff135].
In addition to the political developments, the United States has been actively supporting Uzbekistan's economic reforms and its bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). U.S.-Uzbekistan trade relations have shown promising growth, with mutual trade projected to reach $657.3 million in 2023. U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai has praised Uzbekistan's political will to reform its economy, particularly in areas such as intellectual property rights enforcement and the elimination of forced labor in the cotton sector [741a63fb].
Furthermore, the Uzbek Prime Minister's recent visit to Afghanistan marked the highest-level visit by a foreign official since the Taliban returned to power. This visit included discussions on strengthening trade and business ties, resulting in the signing of five trade and investment agreements [a287fbd8].
As Uzbekistan approaches its parliamentary elections, the political landscape remains a focal point of interest for both regional and international observers, particularly in light of its relationship with Russia and the United States [5649a612].