ASHGHABAT (RFE/RL) — A video has emerged of the President of Turkmenistan. Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, lifting a golden weight during a cabinet meeting while his minsiters applauded him.

The odd scene, broadcast on state TV channel Altyn Asyr and shared by Radio Free Liberty’s Turkmen language service, shows the eccentric ruler being showered with applause by ministers as he lifts a gold bar above his head.