The President of Turkmenistan has asked parliament to reverse his predecessor's decision to rename the months and days of the week after himself and other national symbols. President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said the move reflected the people's wishes. Martin W. reports.
President Berdymukhamedov's predecessor Saparmurat Niyazov, built up a personality cult during his 21 years in power. He renamed January after himself, April after his mother and called other days and months after national poets and symbols. While Monday was just called “The main day”. But many people found the changes confusing. Under President Berdymukhamedov's proposals the name of the months and days of the week will rebirth to their Turkey and Russian language names. The move is the lastest reversal of one of the polices of Mr. Niyazov who died in 2006.
