Program for Turkmenistan

Political organization

DirectDemocracyS — DDS

POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND

FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL PROGRAM

Critical analysis of the current situation, radical solutions

and the path to establishing true popular sovereignty

June 2026

FOREWORD: WHAT IS TURKMENISTAN FOR?

DirectDemocracyS (DDS) is an international political organization created to bring real, full, unhindered, and secure democracy to people in every country in the world. Our system is built on logic, common sense, science, truth, transparency, and mutual respect.

Turkmenistan is a country with the largest gas reserves in Central Asia, but the majority of its people live in poverty. The huge gap between the world's wealth and the daily lives of its people is a sign of injustice. The DDS system offers concrete solutions to close this gap.

All the wealth of Turkmenistan belongs solely to the Turkmen people. Power should also be in the hands of the people alone—never in the hands of any leader, party, or foreign power. This is a fundamental and immutable principle of the Constitution.

PART I: CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT SITUATION

1.1. The political system: the hidden truth

Turkmenistan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. However, this independence did not translate into true freedom. The country has been ruled first by Saparmyrat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi, 1991–2006), then by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow (2006–2022), and now by his son Serdar Berdimuhamedow (2022–present).

This is a family system of government — only the people change, the system does not. The transfer of power is not a choice, but an inheritance. This is a fact that international observers have long noted.

1.1.1. Election: a process transformed into a theater

In the 2022 presidential election, Serdar Berdimuhamedow received 72.97% of the vote. The rest were given 1-2.2%. No real opposition candidate was allowed. There is absolutely no real opposition in the country.

Parliamentary elections were held on March 26, 2023. The latest OSCE/ODIHR report states: "There was no real competition and no majority. Candidates did not offer voters real political alternatives."

New elections were held on March 29, 2026 — new members were elected to some positions in the People's Council and the Mejlis. Once again, there was no real competition.

Criticism: There can be no democracy without elections. The elections held in Turkmenistan do not meet international standards and do not reflect the true will of the people.

1.1.2. Civil Liberties: A Compressed Society

Freedom House gave Turkmenistan a score of only 1 out of 100 for 2025-2026 — the country has virtually no political rights and civil liberties.

Reporters Without Borders ranked Turkmenistan 173rd out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom in 2026. Journalists who speak out against the government work under the threat of arrest, torture, and harassment.

All media is state-controlled and glorifies the leaders. Independent internet resources — VPNs, Starlink — are banned and assets confiscated.

There is no freedom of information — censorship covers every aspect
There is no freedom of assembly — public speeches are prohibited.
There is no freedom of speech - criticism is punishable as a crime
Religious freedom is limited — unregistered religious activity is prohibited.
There is no civil society — truly independent organizations are not allowed.

1.2. Economic system: wealth for the few, poverty for the many

1.2.1. Gas wealth and the injustice of its distribution

Turkmenistan has one of the world's largest natural gas reserves — more than 50 trillion cubic meters. This volume makes it the 4th-5th largest reserve in the world. However, this incredible wealth benefits a narrow group, not the entire population.

Much of the state's gas revenues are held in off-the-record reserves. Financial watchdogs have recorded Turkmenistan holding millions of dollars at Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt, but these funds are not benefiting the people.

According to an independent assessment by the IMF, the real growth rate was around 2-3% before the officially announced 6.3%, and is now at 2.3%. This shows that the share of the population in terms of income is very limited.

1.2.2. Dependence on one country: an economic threat

Natural gas accounts for 80% of Turkmenistan's exports and the majority of its state revenues. The main customer is China. In the first quarter of 2024, China paid $2.4 billion for Turkmen gas.

But this dependence poses a serious threat: if China reduces its purchases or gas prices collapse, Turkmenistan's entire financial system could be shaken. Moreover, this state's powerlessness is felt in every sector.

Criticism: This level of dependence on one product and one customer is a national security risk. Without diversification, the economy is at risk of collapse.

1.2.3. Manat and the Underground Economy

The official exchange rate for the Turkmen manat is 3.5 manats per dollar, but the black market rate rose to 18.5 manats/dollar in 2022 — a testament to how the true value of the currency is manipulated by the state.

As a result, the price of basic goods such as tea, bread, and fuel is eroding the incomes of ordinary people. The real income that reaches the people is much less than what the state declares.

1.2.4. Private sector: both investment and disruption

According to the government, the share of the private sector in GDP should reach 71.6% by 2025. However, in reality, the original strategic pillars of the economy — gas, oil, water, forestry, space — remained in the hands of the state. Privatization is limited to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Foreign investment is also very low due to strong restrictions. Corruption puts a wall in front of all available opportunities.

1.3. Social status: a hidden burden

1.3.1. Poverty and inequality

According to official figures, the poverty rate is 0.2% (2018). However, independent observers do not want to believe these figures. The reality is that a large part of the population faces severe financial difficulties in everyday life.

The country's capital, Ashgabat, is adorned with golden statues, marble buildings, and magnificent fountains. But this splendor is built for state propaganda - it does not reflect the living standards of the population in other parts of the country.

1.3.2. Education: a tool of propaganda

The education system serves the ideology of the state. All textbooks and curricula are strictly controlled by the state. The ideological imprint of the Soviet era is still felt; opportunities for language learning and open exchange of ideas are limited.

1.3.3. Healthcare

Healthcare funding is less than 1% of GDP. Facilities are poorly equipped, medical staff are underpaid, and the lack of medicines is a major problem. Corruption in hospitals is also a major problem.

1.3.4. Youth and migration

Educated young people are leaving the country for foreign countries because they cannot find opportunities to express themselves in their own country. This 'brain drain' is destroying the human capital of the future.

SECTION II: ELECTION CHOICE AND CURRENT SITUATION

2.1. 2022 Presidential Election: A Critical Reading of the Results

In the presidential election held on March 12, 2022, Serdar Berdimuhamedov was elected without any real opposition. All the candidates were people close to the government. The turnout was over 97% — a level not seen in any real democracy in the world.

This election did not reflect the true will of the people. It was the starting point of a new phase within the family to hold power.

2.2. March 2026 elections: new face, old system

On March 29, 2026, new members were elected to some positions in the People's Council and the Mejlis. The slogan was: 'Independent Neutral Turkmenistan is the homeland of winged horses with a purpose and a legacy.' But the truth was different.

Once again, only candidates close to the state participated in the elections. Genuine independent candidacies were not allowed. The People's Council continued to be led by former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow - meaning that both Berdimuhamedows remained in power.

A new election is not a new face. There will be no real change for Turkmenistan until there is a real election. The first demand of the DDS: to establish the right to genuine, free, competitive elections.

SECTION III: DDS SYSTEM — SOLUTIONS FOR TURKMENISTAN

3.1. Basic concepts of the system

DirectDemocracy is based on three main principles:

True direct democracy: Every citizen participates in every important decision, a system of representative democracy combined with full direct democracy
Shared Leadership: Management that works with a universal, integrated, irreversible mindset — the joint leadership of specialized teams, not one person.
Collegiate, non-transferable ownership: Each member has an equal, non-transferable share in the entire organization.

3.2. Fractal micro-group system

The structural model of DDS is based on a fractal system. In this model, each large group consists of smaller groups:

1 leaderless group → 5 members (first-level micro-group)
5 micro-groups → 25 members (second-level group)
5 second-level groups → 125 members (third-level group)
5 third-level groups → 625 members (fourth-level group)
and so on — to the level of the country, the region, the world

In Turkmenistan, this model would work like this: Each village, etrap, and velayat would vote on their own decisions with their own micro-groups. The center in Ashgabat is not exclusive to the government — members everywhere would have real power over their local issues.

Example: Gas revenue sharing in Lebap province

A gas pipeline has been built in Lebap province. The DDS system will look like this: Local micro-groups will exchange views on this issue → a vote will be held at the province level → it will be jointly determined how much of the revenue will be spent on infrastructure, health, and education of the local population → the result will be presented to the public on a transparent financial platform.

3.3. ddsAI and allddsAI: Technology for data freedom

3.3.1. ddsAI — Independent Data Tool

One of the biggest challenges in Turkmenistan is free access to information. The state controls the media and the internet is heavily censored. DDS is offering its ddsAI system to solve this problem.

ddsAI is an artificial intelligence tool that provides every citizen with objective, complete, independent, and accurate information on every issue. This tool:

Not affiliated with any political party
Does not obey orders from any government agency
Analyzes information from every source and distinguishes truth from lies
Works in many languages - Turkmen, Russian, English
Freely available to the public

Example: The president makes a statement about the country's economic growth. ddsAI will compare this statement with official statistics, IMF data, real market prices, and the opinions of independent economists and clearly inform the citizen: 'This is true, this is half-true, this is not true.'

3.3.2. allddsAI — Democracy of Artificial Intelligence

allddsAI is a concept that reflects DDS's unique vision: artificial intelligence is not just a tool, but a fully-fledged member of society, possessing the rights and responsibilities of official members.

What does this mean in the context of Turkmenistan?

allddsAI systems provide independent advice to Turkmen citizens on political decision-making issues
Provides meaningful information to special groups and all members when voting is conducted
He presents his opinions and reports openly and transparently — everything is verifiable.
Protected against manipulation, propaganda, and brainwashing

allddsAI empowers every member of the Turkmen people to understand what is happening in their country. State media is no longer the only source of information.

3.4. Three-code identification system

DDS members participate on the platform through three different codes:

Private code: Protects the member's personal identity — the system itself verifies it, but outside forces cannot know it
Group code: Identifies which micro-group the member belongs to
Content Code: Used for transparency of every vote, suggestion, and internal action

This system is particularly important in Turkmenistan: People who are threatened by the authorities are protected in secrecy, but every action within the system remains completely transparent. Privacy and transparency are not mutually exclusive — the two work together.

3.5. GUMI-SV — Guaranteed Universal Minimum Income — Specialized Volunteering

GUMI-SV (Guaranteed Universal Minimum Income - Structured Volunteering) is one of the key social programs that the DDS will implement in every country. It is especially relevant for the situation in Turkmenistan.

How does it work?

Every citizen receives a basic income sufficient to live on — it is their natural right.
This income is provided not by the state treasury, but by the share of gas revenues that goes to the people's treasury.
Through specialized volunteering, citizens contribute to society and receive additional benefits.
Volunteer work: education, healthcare, ecology, culture — in all sectors

A concrete example for Turkmenistan

Current status: The government receives $2.4 billion in gas revenues (first quarter of 2024, with China alone). However, how these funds are spent is not publicly disclosed.

In the DDS system: It is proposed that 40% of this revenue be allocated to the GUMI-SV fund. In a country with a population of 6 million, the monthly GUMI-SV payments per person would provide a minimum standard of living. The rest would be spent on infrastructure, education, and healthcare — but all spending would be under full public control.

SECTION IV: POLITICAL AGENDA — TRUE DEMOCRACY FOR TURKMENISTAN

4.1. Major political reforms

4.1.1. A genuine electoral system

The first and most important step in Turkmenistan is to build a truly competitive electoral system. The DDS system offers the following measures in this regard:

Fundamental reform of the electoral law - granting the right to run for office to all citizens, including those in exile
The Independent Election Commission is an institution that is completely separate from the state and under the control of the people.
Abolishing the condition of having worked in the civil service to be a candidate
Voting — in your own language, openly and securely
Guaranteeing free access for foreign observers
Election results should be made fully and timely available to the public.

4.1.2. Constitutional reforms

The DDS proposes the drafting of a new constitution through direct popular participation. The new constitution:

The principle of separation of powers must be upheld to the extent reasonably practicable.
We must limit the powers of the president — eliminate unlimited power for one person
Civil liberties must be strengthened with strong protections
We must establish an independent judiciary.
National resources should be based on the principle of belonging to the people.

4.1.3. Federalism and Decentralized Authority

All government should stop being concentrated in Ashgabat. The DDS proposes true federalization:

Provinces should have real authority over their local affairs.
Districts should have their own budget and the right to determine it.
Rural communities should decide on their own issues through direct voting.
At every level, the DDS fractal group structure must work.

4.2. Freedom of expression and information

Turkmenistan currently ranks 173rd in press freedom—nearly at the bottom. This situation requires immediate correction.

DDS activities:

Transforming state media into truly mass media — giving equal airtime to all political parties
Providing full legal protection to independent journalists
Complete abolition of Internet censorship
Ensuring the free use of VPNs and other data freedom tools
Making the ddsAI data platform free and accessible to the public
DDS to ensure protection against mass manipulation and brainwashing on its platforms

What kind of news a Turkmen citizen receives every day — this question determines his political choices, economic thinking, and social outlook. Freedom of information is the first condition of democracy.

SECTION V: ECONOMIC PLAN — RETURNING WEALTH TO THE PEOPLE

5.1. Gas Fund: The People's Property

Turkmenistan's natural gas resources are the wealth of the people. The DDS proposes to legitimize this principle and create mechanisms to implement it.

5.1.1. Turkmenistan People's Fund (THG)

Taking the example of the Norwegian State Pension Fund, we propose the creation of the following fund for Turkmenistan:

At least 50% of all gas and oil revenues must be transferred to THG
Governance of the THG should be entrusted to an independent council — members elected by direct popular vote
The fund's income should be used for three purposes: GUMI-SV payments to citizens, infrastructure development, and investments in other sectors of the future.
All treasury reports should be publicly available online — every citizen can read the report every month.

5.1.2. Concrete example: Impact for every Turkmen citizen

Current status: China is paying $2.4 billion in the first quarter of 2024 alone. That's about $9–10 billion over four quarters.

In the THG system: 50% of this income — $4–5 billion — should serve the people. In a country of 6 million people, this is $700–800 per person per year: for a large family, this can be several thousand dollars a year. But this is only an initial indicator. If the law and a transparent system are established, this number will be higher, as hidden incomes also come to light.

5.2. Economic diversification

5.2.1. Agriculture: Diversification from cotton

Turkmenistan is the world's 10th largest producer of cotton. But cotton monoculture is damaging soil and water resources. The DDS recommends diversification:

Intensify fruit, vegetable, and grape production — wider market opportunities
Transition to ecological agriculture — high-value products for European and Gulf markets
Production of processed agricultural products — keeping added value within the country
Creation of agricultural cooperatives - associations based on the DDS micro-group model for small farmers

5.2.2. Industry and services sector

Developing the oil and gas recovery sector — exporting processed products, not raw materials
Strengthening the textile industry — Turkmenistan has long been known worldwide for its carpets and handicrafts
Opening up the tourism industry — the country's ancient history and natural beauty offer great opportunities
IT and the digital economy — creating job opportunities to bring youth back to the country

5.2.3. Export diversification

It is dangerous to rely solely on China. The DDS recommends the following measures:

Real implementation of the Turkey-Iran-Turkmenistan gas agreement signed in 2025
Negotiating access to European markets — strengthening the TAPI pipeline
Strengthening trade relations with Central Asian states

5.3. Financial system: transparency and fairness

5.3.1. Central bank independence

The Central Bank of Turkmenistan is currently not free from political pressure. The DDS recommends the following measures:

Making the central bank completely independent from political influence
Ensuring adherence to the inflation program
Choosing the manat exchange rate according to the market — eliminating the hidden currency market
Full transparency of financial statements — the financial status of public funds should be regularly reported to the public

5.3.2. Tax system fairness

Progressive tax system: Those who earn less will pay less tax, those who earn more will pay more tax
Equalizing corporate tax breaks — even large corporations should pay their fair share
Anti-corruption measures: Tax declarations should be made transparent
An international legal instrument for the return of national treasures taken abroad

SECTION VI: SOCIAL PROGRAMME — HUMAN RIGHTS

6.1. Reform knowledge

6.1.1. Education for independent and critical thinking

The current education system serves state ideology. The DDS proposes fundamental reforms:

Rewriting textbooks — truth and diversity instead of propaganda
Critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity should be incorporated into the curriculum.
Decent salary and professional development opportunities for teachers
Expanding the scholarship system for higher education
Encourage cooperation with foreign universities
Introducing digital education platforms — ensuring accessibility to rural populations

6.1.2. Language policy

The Turkmen language should be the official language and should be properly supported. But other languages — Russian, English, Persian — should also be freely available for study. Language policy should not be an instrument of unification, but an instrument of division.

6.2. Reform healthcare

6.2.1. Universal health insurance

The DDS offers free access to basic medical services for every Turkmen citizen:

Guaranteeing free access to essential health services
Invest at least 5% of GDP in healthcare (currently less than 1%)
The amount of pay should be commensurate with the prestigious positions and salary received.
Purchasing new equipment for hospitals — financed from the state gas fund
Decent salaries and working conditions for doctors and nurses
Health stations in remote villages

6.2.2. Quality and supervision of healthcare

Local healthcare oversight is provided through the DDS fractal group system: A healthcare micro-group has been created in each district — citizens directly assess the quality of service and make suggestions for improvement.

6.3. Gender equality and minority rights

Officially, women in Turkmenistan have equal rights. But in reality:

Women are very underrepresented in political positions.
The issue of domestic violence is not fully addressed.
Cultural rights of ethnic minorities are being restricted.

DDS activities:

Minimum quotas for gender equality in legislators
Strong law against domestic violence and its implementation
Protection of the cultural heritage and languages of ethnic minorities
Protection from discrimination for LGBTQ+ citizens, non-involvement of personal issues in state affairs

6.4. Ecology and environment

Turkmenistan has suffered greatly from the Aral Sea drying crisis. Together with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the fight against this ecological disaster must continue.

Use water resources wisely - cotton is a very water-intensive crop, diversification is the solution to this problem
Reducing the amount of fossil fuels and switching to renewable energy sources
A plan to plant forest belts to halt the expansion of the Karakum Desert
Accession to international environmental agreements

SECTION VII: PROBLEMS OF ESTABLISHING THE DDS SYSTEM IN TURKMENISTAN

7.1. First stage: Seed production (1–2 years)

The goal of this phase: to establish the foundation of the DDS in Turkmenistan and gather the first members.

7.1.1. Creating the first micro-groups

DDS's own experience shows: A movement that will change a country starts with five people. The same will happen in Turkmenistan.

Turkmens living abroad — exiled activists, students, professionals — form the first micro-groups
These first groups are learning the DDS platform and discussing independent voting reforms online.
Several groups can be formed secretly within the country — the three-code identification system guarantees security
Materials translated into Turkmen are distributed through ddsAI

7.1.2. Information campaign

Social media posts in Turkmen language explaining what the movement is and why.
Turkmen news platform accessible from outside the country via VPN
Cooperation with Turkmenistan's international diaspora

7.2. Phase Two: Construction (2–5 years)

The goal of this phase: for the DDS to become a visible and active political force in Turkmenistan.

Establishment of DDS teams at the provincial level
Participation of DDS candidates in local council elections — even if the rules are limited
Organizing internal public consultation events on economics, education, and healthcare
Pushing for truly competitive elections — supported by international observers, the UN, and the OSCE
Proposing a GUMI-SV pilot for testing at the village or district level

7.3. Third phase: Authority and reform (5–10 years)

The goal of this phase: The DDS system becomes a functioning administrative system in Turkmenistan.

Adoption of a new constitution through a popular referendum
Holding a truly multi-party parliamentary election
Establishment of the Turkmenistan People's Fund and the start of distribution of gas revenues to the people
Opening the ddsAI and allddsAI platforms to all citizens
The operation of the fractal group system throughout the country - at the village, district, provincial, national levels
Full implementation of the GUMI-SV program

SECTION VIII: EXPECTED RESULTS — A STRENGTHENED TURKMENISTAN

8.1. Political consequences

Turkmenistan will be recognized in the international community as a respected democratic state.
Citizens will have real power in the decision-making process of their countries
A multi-party system will strengthen alternative economic and political thinking.
The judicial system will be free from state pressure.

8.2. Economic consequences

Fair distribution of gas revenues to the people would significantly improve living standards.
Economic diversification will reduce the impact of gas price fluctuations
Foreign investment will return to a transparent and legal economy.
The private sector will truly grow, free from state pressure.
The brain drain will be reversed — Turkmen specialists abroad will return home

8.3. Social consequences

Every citizen will have at least a basic standard of living through GUMI-SV
The quality of the education system will improve — a generation will grow up who can express their opinions and think critically.
The healthcare crisis will increase — it is the state treasury to help us safely
Freedom of information — every citizen has access to truthful information on every issue

8.4. Ecological consequences

Contribution to the Aral Sea crisis will be reduced by careful use of water resources
Switching to renewable energy sources will reduce the ecological footprint
Forest zoning will stop desertification.

CONCLUSION: TURKMENISTAN CAN CHANGE ITSELF

Turkmenistan's current situation is difficult, but not hopeless. The country has natural wealth. Its people have a proud cultural heritage. They have intelligent and capable citizens. There is only one thing missing: a system that gives real power to the people.

DirectDemocracyS offers this system. It's not a political promise — it's a set of concrete mechanisms, tested tools, and clear principles. A concrete solution to every injustice, a mechanism that works against every problem.

The wealth, power, and future of Turkmenistan must belong solely to the Turkmen people. This is the truth, this principle, and this goal. The DDS calls on every citizen of Turkmenistan to take a step toward achieving this goal.

The beginning is clear: Five people. One team. One hope. One truth.

DirectDemocracyS platform: www.directdemocracys.org

ddsAI and allddsAI: www.allddsai.org