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Ashgabat to Allow Parties

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — Turkmenistan has introduced a law on political parties that will formally bring an end to one-party rule

Power, however, is likely to remain resolutely in the hands of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.

The law, which came into effect Friday, mandates that prospective party leaders must be based within the country, which effectively disqualifies exiled government opponents.

The country's only existing party is the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan.

(AP)

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