List of Presidents of Turkmenistan: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Turkmenistan from 1990 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Turkmenistan, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Turkmenistan: Serdar Berdimuhamedow (in office since 2022). Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the previous president, remains influential as chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) and holds the title “National Leader of the Turkmen People”.

Presidents of Turkmenistan in order, with years in office

Saparmurat Niyazov

Served: 1990–2006

First president; elected in 1990 while Turkmenistan was still a Soviet republic and ruled until his death on 21 December 2006.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow

Served: 2006–2022

Health minister who was named acting president after Niyazov’s death, then elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2012 and 2017. He stepped down in March 2022, the first Turkmen president to do so.

Serdar Berdimuhamedow

Served: 2022–present

Son of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow; elected in March 2022 and in office since 19 March 2022.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Turkmenistan

Who is the current president of Turkmenistan?

The current head of state of Turkmenistan is Serdar Berdimuhamedow, in office since 2022. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the previous president, remains influential as chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) and holds the title “National Leader of the Turkmen People”.

Who were the previous presidents of Turkmenistan?

The presidents and heads of state of Turkmenistan listed on this page, in order, are: Saparmurat Niyazov, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Serdar Berdimuhamedow.

Who was the first president of Turkmenistan?

Saparmurat Niyazov was the first president of Turkmenistan, in office 1990–2006.

Sources: Wikipedia, President of Turkmenistan; Carnegie Endowment (October 2026), Intellinews and the BTI 2026 country report (checked Nov 2026). Presidents since the office was created in the Turkmen SSR in 1990.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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