The Tajik parliament has adopted amendments to the country's constitution lowering the required presidential age from 35 years to 30, as well as allowing Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to be able to run for reelection indefinitely, parliament said in a statement on January 22.
The amendments enable Rahmon to ensure the establishment of a presidential dynasty by allowing his eldest son, Rustam Emomali, to take part in elections, as he will be 33 in the presidential election scheduled for 2020. It has long been speculated that Rahmon may be grooming Rustam Emomali as his successor. Only at 25, Emomali was appointed deputy head of Tajikistan's state customs service in 2013. He was appointed director in the State Agency For Financial Control and Measures Against Corruption in March 2015.
The constitutional changes will take effect after approval by the Constitutional Court and the adoption of the amendments by a national referendum that has not yet been announced, according to the statement.
In December, the authorities have endorsed another bill that granted Rahmon and his relatives lifelong immunity from prosecution and gave Rahmon the title of “Leader of the Nation”.
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