91 Azam Isabaev Uzbekistan after the Transfer of Power Introduction For the first time since independence in 1991, Uzbekistan has a new presi- dent. The transfer of power occurred after President Islam Karimov died in September 2016 as a result of a stroke. In early presidential elections, held three months later, on 4 December, the prime minister and acting president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was elected to succeed Karimov as head of state. This proved correct the many political observers who had predicted that a consen- sus among the elite in Uzbekistan would ensure a smooth transition of power. At the same time, however, and contrary to those prognoses, the transition appears to have been more than a mere formality. Since his appointment as acting president, Mirziyoyev has departed from well-trodden paths in Uz- bekistan’s politics. These actions clearly indicate an intention to revise a number of established practices in Uzbekistan’s state-society relations, the economy, and foreign policy. The innovations can be summarized as a will- ingness, on the part of the state, to increasingly open itself up – both to the Uzbekistani society and to the external world. What these innovations cer- tainly do not do is bring about a political transformation of Uzbekistan. They are unlikely to challenge the authoritarian nature of power. Nevertheless, Mirziyoyev’s reform plans appear to be more than just decoration. This con- tribution aims to provide an overview of these new tendencies in Uzbeki- stan’s domestic and foreign policy following the transfer of power. The Transfer of Power During President Karimov’s final years, political observers considered certain influential figures to be possible successors. Speculation centred on Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the prime minister, and Rustam Azimov, the first deputy prime minister and minister of finance. After Karimov’s death, one indirect and one direct indicator suggested who was going to be the successor: Observers noted that, in the Soviet Union, being charged with organizing the funeral for the deceased head of state was a sign that one was being designated as his chosen successor. This task was given to Mirziyoyev. The second – direct – indicator concerned the question of who would act as president until the hold- ing of new elections. According to the constitution (Article 96), if the incum- bent president is incapable of fulfilling his duties, the Chair of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (parliament) is to serve as acting president and organize new elections within three months. In this case, however, Nigmatulla Yuldashev, In: IFSH (ed.), OSCE Yearbook 2017, Baden-Baden 2018, pp. 91-108.