Authoritarian ruling party created on the initiative of independent Uzbekistan's first President Islam Karimov. Karimov had been First Secretary of the Communist Party until 1991, re-forming it as the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan in 1991, which remained the nation's sole legal party for a time. Under pressure, and to give off the impression of electoral competition, Karimov launched the Liberal Democratic party in 2003, leading it until his death in 2016. Party nominated in 2021 long-time Prime Minister and 2nd President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for a second term. Party is led by Uzbekistan's Prime Minister since December 14, 2016, Abdulla Aripov [Oʻzbekiston Liberal Demokratik Partiyasi (Oʻzlidep)].
