TASHKENT, (TDI): President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Monday addressed the inaugural session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan following the recent election.
The session began with an opening by the Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Zayniddin Nizamkhodzhaev, and the playing of the National Anthem of Uzbekistan.
During the session, a Temporary Secretariat, a Counting Commission, and a temporary group to oversee the electronic vote counting system were elected. The agenda was also approved.
The CEC Chairman presented the election results, and on the recommendation of the Council of Representatives of Political Parties, Nuriddin Ismoilov was elected Speaker of the Legislative Chamber through a secret ballot. Following his election, the chairmanship of the session transitioned to the Speaker.
Deputy Speakers were also elected, five political party factions were registered, and ten committees of the Legislative Chamber were established based on proposals from the factions.
In his address, President Mirziyoyev congratulated the newly elected deputies, emphasizing that their selection reflected the high trust and respect of the Uzbek people.
He noted that the recent parliamentary elections were historic, being the first held under the updated Constitution and a mixed electoral system.
The elections resulted in 150 deputies being elected, including 57 women and 11 individuals under the age of 35. The overall composition of the Legislative Chamber was renewed by nearly 60%.
Reflecting on the Chamber’s activities over the past five years, the President highlighted significant achievements, such as the adoption of over 130 new laws, which was 1.5 times more than the prior period.
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However, he also pointed out shortcomings, including the low share of laws with clear enforcement mechanisms and the limited effectiveness of parliamentary and deputy control.
The President proposed new tasks for the Legislative Chamber to enhance its effectiveness. Key proposals included:
- Establishing public councils under each parliamentary committee to strengthen dialogue with civil society.
- Promoting close cooperation between parliamentary committees and ministries.
Strengthening party and factional discipline. - Focusing lawmaking on addressing urgent societal issues, such as modern housing construction, protection of citizen funds in housing projects, private education support, energy sector investment, compulsory health insurance, and legal frameworks for AI and startups.
To empower the parliamentary opposition, the President suggested increasing its guaranteed rights from three to six, including granting leadership positions in committees and expanded rights for parliamentary inquiries.
A strong emphasis was placed on enhancing parliamentary control, particularly over the State Budget, which is now under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Legislative Chamber. The President recommended integrating audit reports with government budget submissions to strengthen fiscal oversight.
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“A deputy is a servant of the people, a model of political culture and knowledge, who sincerely loves their homeland,” the President remarked, urging deputies to prioritize the interests of Uzbekistan’s people, promote harmony in society, and focus on the future generations’ welfare.
Leaders of political party factions and deputies also spoke during the session, with President Mirziyoyev supporting their perspectives and encouraging greater dedication to their roles.
“The voice of a deputy is the voice of the people. Consider every issue with the fate of the nation and future generations in mind. Only then will our people be truly satisfied,” he said.
The Legislative Chamber adopted resolutions aligned with the session’s agenda, setting the tone for its future work.
