President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a speech at the first session of the newly convened Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) and emphasized the need to revitalize the opposition within parliament. His remarks were shared by his press secretary, Sherzod Asadov, as reported by the “Adyrna” national portal.
According to Fergana.agency, the president proposed increasing the guaranteed rights for the opposition from three to six. Additionally, he suggested granting opposition parties one chairmanship position in a lower chamber committee and two deputy seats in parliamentary committees.
Mirziyoyev stressed that if the spirit of healthy competition and debates carries over from the elections into the parliamentary chambers, it would serve the people’s interest in developing laws.
“In the recent elections, the programs and ideas of political parties were distinct, and the struggle of differing political ideologies was evident,” the president added.
He noted that, in the new era, parliament should become a true “house of the people,” and its lower chamber should serve as a generator of ideas and a platform for healthy competition and debate.
Legislative Priorities
The president outlined the following key areas for future legislation:
•Strengthening the mandatory health insurance system;
•Supporting investors planning to build schools or kindergartens;
•Establishing a legal framework for fintech, startups, and franchising;
•Regulating artificial intelligence;
•Introducing market mechanisms in the energy sector.
Composition of the New Parliament
Mirziyoyev highlighted that the lower chamber of parliament has undergone a 60% renewal compared to its previous term. Of the 150 deputies, 63 were re-elected, and 87 are new members, including 11 under the age of 35. Women now make up 38% of the deputies, the highest proportion in Central Asia. For the first time, a person with disabilities has also obtained a parliamentary seat.
The session also elected the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber. Nuriddin (Nuriddinjon) Ismoilov, who had held the position since 2015, stepped down. Under newly amended regulations, the number of deputy speakers has been reduced from seven to two, with the roles assigned to Liberal Democratic Party members Mavluda Khojaeva and Rakhimjon Khakimov.
During their term, vice-speakers are required to suspend their political party membership and cannot belong to their party’s parliamentary faction.
Upper Chamber Changes
Last week, the composition of the upper chamber, the Senate, was also finalized. Due to changes in regional representation, the number of senators decreased from 100 to 65, as regions now elect four representatives instead of six.
The president appointed nine senators, including six who had served in the previous Senate. Among them is the youngest senator, 30-year-old Alisher Sadullayev.
According to the Central Election Commission, 56.6% of Senate members are over the age of 60, while 41.6% are between 40 and 60. Traditionally, the Senate includes the chairperson of the Supreme Council of Karakalpakstan (an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan), as well as governors of the country’s regions and the city of Tashkent.
