TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Monday named his daughter, Saida Mirziyoyeva, as head of the newly created presidential administration, his spokesman said.

Mirziyoyeva, 40, was previously the presidential first assistant in a country where the political sphere remains tightly controlled, despite promises of liberalisation.

Uzbekistan has had only two presidents since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Mirziyoyev took power in 2016 following the death of the country's first president, Islam Karimov, who likewise appointed his daughter Gulnara Karimova to influential government positions.

"By presidential decree, the position of head of the presidential administration has been created. Saida Mirziyoyeva has been appointed," the president's spokesman said on Telegram.

Due to a constitutional reform enacted in 2023, Mirzoyeyev can remain in office util 2037.

It is common in the formerly Soviet republics in Central Asia for power to be concentrated in the hands of the ruling families.

In Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov ceded power to his son, Serdar, in 2022, while in Tajikistan, President Emomali Rahmon's son, Rustam Emomali, heads the parliament.

Uzbek media reported that Mirzoyeyeva, who speaks English and Russian as well as her native Uzbek, would be assisted by Komil Allamjonov.

A botched attempt to assassinate Allamjonov last year led to a purge of the secret services, police and armed forces.

While Mirzoyeyev has opened up Uzbekistan to foreign investment and tourism since assuming office, political opposition remains almost inexistant in the country.