Uzbekistan grants presidential

Uzbekistan has enacted a new constitutional law granting sweeping powers and lifetime immunity to officials of the presidential administration. The law was passed by the Legislative Chamber on August 6 and approved by the Senate the next day, with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signing it on August 14 without prior public discussion, according to a report by The Diplomat.

President Mirziyoyev's press secretary, Sherzod Asadov, framed the legislation as addressing a "legal gap" in regulating the administration's activities relative to other state bodies.

Consolidation of Authority

The law, comprising four chapters and 34 articles, significantly expands the administration's reach. It can now issue mandatory instructions to heads of state bodies and organizations. It can also punish officials with disciplinary actions, including dismissal, for failing in their duties.

Control extends to regional governance. The administration is empowered to monitor all presidential orders and manage the process for appointing and dismissing regional governors, known as hokims. It can also dismiss district and city hokims for legal violations or improper behavior. Furthermore, the administration has direct access to the database of any government institution.

Judicial and Anti-Corruption Oversight

Article 19 of the law grants the administration a role in judicial reform, a move that collides with the institutional independence of the courts. The administration is tasked with coordinating reforms in the judicial and legal sphere and developing proposals for reforming the judicial system.

The law also places the anti-corruption compliance system under the administration's control. The head of the administration will appoint and dismiss deputies for compliance and internal control against corruption in all republican-level state bodies. These deputies report directly to the presidential administration, meaning corruption cases within the government are reported to a body whose officials have lifetime immunity.

Immunity and Security Role

The law establishes powerful legal protections for administration staff. Only the prosecutor general can initiate a criminal case against them. After leaving their posts, officials retain immunity from prosecution for five years, with any related cases reviewed by the Supreme Court. The head of the administration and other senior officials are granted lifetime immunity. Some privacy protections also extend to their family members.

Beyond domestic governance, the law grants the head of the administration an automatic appointment as deputy chair of the Security Council. Through the council's secretariat, the head ensures the president's constitutional powers relating to the armed forces, defense, mobilization, security, and emergency situations.

Leadership and Succession Signals

The administration is currently led by Saida Mirziyoyeva, the president's eldest daughter. She was appointed head in June 2025 after the post was re-established. Her previous roles included deputy director of the Agency for Information and Mass Communications and assistant to the president.

The new law codifies her existing power, which is derived from presidential appointment rather than public election. Analysts cited by The Diplomat suggest the law positions Mirziyoyeva as a potential successor, granting her command over government institutions and accountability mechanisms while insulating her with lifelong legal protections.