Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow vs Smail Hamdani

Berdimuhamedow reversed Niyazov's closure of the Turkmen Academy of Sciences, reopening the institution. This was part of a broader effort to restore some educational and scientific institutions that had been dismantled under his predecessor.

Following the death of President Saparmurat Niyazov, Berdimuhamedow won the presidential election with 89% of the vote. He succeeded Niyazov as the second president of independent Turkmenistan, inheriting a highly authoritarian system.

Berdimuhamedow presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the TAPI pipeline in Mary, Turkmenistan. The project aimed to export Turkmen natural gas to South Asia, but faced security and financing challenges, with construction repeatedly delayed.

Berdimuhamedow awarded himself the title 'Hero of Turkmenistan' for the third time, along with other state honors. This was part of an ongoing personality cult that included statues, official songs, and renaming of places after him.

Berdimuhamedow resigned as president, triggering a snap election won by his son Serdar. He then became Chairman of the People's Council (Halk Maslahaty), a newly empowered body that retained him as the 'national leader' with significant influence over policy.

Smail Hamdani was appointed Prime Minister of Algeria on December 15, 1998, by President Liamine Z

Hamdani's government organized the 1999 presidential election, which was won by Abdelaziz Bouteflika after all other candidates withdrew citing fraud. The election marked the end of Z

Hamdani resigned as Prime Minister on December 23, 1999, after one year in office. His resignation followed the election of Bouteflika, who appointed Ahmed Benbitour as his successor, marking a new phase in Algerian politics.