Serdar Berdimuhamedow was sworn in as the president of Turkmenistan on Saturday, local media reported.

Berdimuhamedow won the presidential election with nearly 73 percent of the votes on March 12. Born in September 1981, Berdimuhamedow is the son of the former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

He has risen through a series of prominent government posts. Most recently, he served as deputy prime minister.

Presidential elections in Turkmenistan are held every seven years.