Why was Hilola Umarova reappointed to the post of Minister?

Yesterday, on November 21, it was reported that Hilola Umarova was approved for the position of Minister of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and was subsequently appointed to the position by a decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

However, it is natural for many to wonder why Minister Hilola Umarova was reappointed when she was already a minister. Therefore, we would like to provide some information about this procedure.

As you know, in accordance with the parliamentary elections held on October 27, 2024, the chambers of the Oliy Majlis were formed with a new composition.

Article 116 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Article 7 of the Law "On the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan" stipulate that the Cabinet of Ministers must resign its powers before the Oliy Majlis.

Accordingly, on November 19 of this year, by the relevant decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, the current government resigned its powers before the newly elected Oliy Majlis. However, the current government continued to operate until the formation of the new Cabinet of Ministers.

According to the current procedure, within a month after the formation of the new parliament, the President of Uzbekistan, after consulting with all factions of political parties, submits the prime minister's candidacy for consideration by the Legislative Chamber.

The candidate presents the program of actions of the Cabinet of Ministers for the near and long term. The candidacy is considered approved if more than half of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber vote for it.

After the approval of the Prime Minister, the formation of a new government structure begins.

The candidates for members of the Cabinet of Ministers (deputy prime ministers and ministers) are appointed by the president after approval by the lower house of parliament. For this, they must receive more than half of the votes of the deputies.

On November 20, 2024, by the decision of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the candidacy of Abdulla Aripov for the post of Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan was approved.

Subsequently, on November 21, 2024, the next meeting of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis was held. At this meeting, deputies considered candidates for members of the Government.

In accordance with Article 94 of the newly revised Constitution, consideration and approval of candidates for members of the Cabinet of Ministers on the proposal of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the exclusive competence of the Legislative Chamber.

According to the President's presentation, 24 candidates nominated for the Cabinet of Ministers were considered at the meeting. Among them was the Minister of Preschool and School Education, Hilola Umarova.

At the meeting, Hilola Umarova presented her Action Program for further improving the effectiveness of reforms in the field of preschool and school education.

Deputies approved the candidacy of Hilola Umarova for the post of Minister of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

By the relevant Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated November 21, 2024, Hilola Umarova was appointed to the post of Minister of Preschool and School Education.

Typically, in Uzbekistan's experience, many ministers retain their positions if their work is highly valued and they align with the political strategy and directions of the new government.

Approval of the Minister also depends on the Program of Actions for future work. For deputies to vote for the minister's candidacy, they need to familiarize themselves with the long-term action program.

This action program could only have been submitted to the Legislative Chamber, as it could not be found in open sources.

For information, on December 30, 2023, Hilola Umarova, who was working as the director of the Agency for Presidential Educational Institutions, was appointed to the post of Minister of Preschool and School Education.

Hilola Umarova was born on August 9, 1988, in Weimar, Germany. She is of Uzbek nationality. She graduated from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy with a bachelor's degree in 2010 and a master's degree in 2013. She is currently a researcher at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.