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The politics of Azerbaijan take place in an authoritarian system where elections are not free and fair, political opponents are repressed, civil rights are limited, human rights abuses are widespread, corruption is rampant, and power is concentrated in the hands of President Ilham Aliyev and his extended family.[1][2][3]
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Azerbaijan is nominally a semi-presidential republic, with the President of Azerbaijan as the head of state, and the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan as head of government. Executive power is exercised by the president and the government. Checks and balances are nominally ensured by the legislature (Azerbaijan's National Assembly) and the Judiciary but both institutions are in practice firmly controlled by the executive.[4][5]
The politics of Azerbaijan have since 1969 been dominated by the Aliyev family. Heydar Aliyev governed Soviet Azerbaijan from 1969 to 1982 as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan, and as President of Azerbaijan from 1993 to 2003 after seizing power in the aftermath of a 1993 military coup.[6][7] Ilham Aliyev, Heydar's son, was installed as president in 2003.
Azerbaijan declared its independence from the former Soviet Union on August 30, 1991, with Ayaz Mutalibov, former First Secretary of the Azerbaijani Communist Party, becoming the country's first President. Following a massacre of Azerbaijanis at Khojali in Nagorno-Karabakh in March 1992, Mutalibov resigned and the country experienced a period of political fragility. The old guard returned Mutalibov to power in May 1992, but less than a week later his efforts to suspend scheduled presidential elections and ban all political activity prompted the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (PFP) to organize a resistance movement and take power. Among its reforms, the PFP dissolved the predominantly Communist Supreme Soviet and transferred its functions to the 50-member upper house of the legislature, the National Council.
Elections in June 1992 resulted in the selection of PFP leader Abulfaz Elchibey as the country's second president. The national presidential elections with 7 candidates were held on 7 June 1992 in which Elchibey was elected the President of Azerbaijan, gaining 54% of votes and becoming Azerbaijan's first democratically elected, non-communist president. During the summer of 1992, Elchibey secured the full withdrawal of the Soviet army from Azerbaijan, which became the first and only former Soviet republic (after the Baltic states) free of Soviet military presence. At the same time, Elchibey's government established the national Caspian Navy and managed to reach an agreement with Russia on receiving one-quarter of the Soviet Caspian Navy based in Baku.
The National Council conferred presidential powers upon its new speaker, Heydar Aliyev, former First Secretary of the Azerbaijani Communist Party (1969–81) and later a member of the Soviet Union's Politburo, the KGB, and USSR Deputy Prime Minister (until 1987). Elchibey was formally deposed by a national referendum in August 1993, and Aliyev was elected to a 5-year term as President in October with only token opposition. Aliyev won re-election to another 5-year term in 1998. According to conclusions of OSCE ODIHR election observation report "clear political will was demonstrated by the authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan to significantly improve on the election practice of the country. The efforts in this direction were initiated in the late spring of 1998 by a review of the election legislation to put it in line with OSCE commitments, by the formal abolishment of censorship in August 1998 and by the final approval of the new Citizenship Law in late September 1998. In this way the authorities responded positively to concerns raised by the international community and indicated their willingness to meet international standards in the conduct of the election process".[8]
The Speaker of Parliament stood next in line to the President, but the constitution was changed at the end of 2002: now the premier is next in line. In August 2003, İlham Aliyev was appointed as premier. In the October 2003 presidential elections, İlham Aliyev was the winner and was sworn in as president at the end of the same month, and Rasizade was appointed premier again.
Elections in Azerbaijan tend to be fairly predictable affairs, with little analysis needed. President Ilham Aliyev and his New Azerbaijan Party keep an iron grip on power through fraudulent votes; international observers have never deemed an election in the country to be free and fair. In April 2018, President Ilham Aliyev secured his fourth consecutive term in the election that was boycotted by the main opposition parties as fraudulent.[9]
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | İlham Aliyev | New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) | 15 October 2003 |
| Vice President | Mehriban Aliyeva | New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) | 21 February 2017 |
| Prime Minister | Ali Asadov | Independent | 8 October 2019 |
President is the head of the state and chief of the executive branch. The people elect the president; the Vice President is appointed by the President and the Prime Minister is nominated by the President and confirmed by the National Assembly of Azerbaijan. Presidential term is seven years. The President appoints all cabinet-level government officials (ministers, heads of other central executive bodies) and heads of local executive bodies.
Since 2008, the Constitution of Azerbaijan was amended, abolishing any term limit for the office of President.[10] Last Constitutional reform took place in September 2016 and introduced the office of Vice President.
According to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the head of state and posseses executive power. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan represents the country in internal and external affairs. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan ensures the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and guarantees compliance with international treaties.
The President in Azerbaijan is directly elected for a 7-year term, with the candidate required to have the right to vote, residing in Azerbaijani territory for more than 10 years, possess a higher education, lack citizenship or liabilities to the foreign states, and not convicted for a serious crime.
The President could be removed by the National Assembly following conviction by the Supreme Court, if the decision is adopted by three-quarters majority of the deputies. Otherwise, the President enjoys personal immunity.
The Constitution endows the President with the following powers:
The Vice-Presidents of Azerbaijan are high-ranking officials subordinate to the President. First Vice-President and Vice-Presidents are appointed and dismissed by the President. In case of an early resignation of the president, within 60 days, as long as the new elections are called, the president's powers are fulfilled by the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan. The First Vice-President of Azerbaijan enjoys inviolability; can not be detained or brought to criminal responsibility, except in cases of detention at the scene of a crime, can not be searched or personally searched.
Any citizen with a higher education who has the right to vote and has no obligations to other states can become a vice-president of Azerbaijan. Vice-presidents have the right to immunity.[12]
The National Assembly of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani: Milli Məclis) is the legislative branch of government in Azerbaijan. The unicameral National Assembly consists of 125 deputies elected in single-member constituencies.
Officially voting is free, individual and secret. Candidates may be self-nominated or nominated by political parties, their blocs or groups of voters. All citizens over 18 years of age have the right to vote, except those recognised incapable by court. Every citizen of at least 25 years of age may be elected with certain exceptions (i.e. dual citizenship, liabilities towards a foreign state, holding a position in the executive or judicial branches of power, remunerated activities - with certain exceptions, such as members of religious professions, incapacity confirmed by court, conviction for a serious crime or serving a sentence). The validity of election results is confirmed in respect of each candidate by the Constitutional Court, and the National Assembly is constituted upon confirmation in office of 83 deputies.[13]
Every year, National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan holds two regular, spring and autumn, sessions. Extraordinary sessions are convened by its Speaker at the request of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan or 42 deputies of the National Assembly.[14] The meetings of the sessions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan are open to the public. A meeting of the session of the Milli Majlis may be closed to the public on the proposal of 83 members of parliament or the proposal of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The assembly is headed by the Speaker of Milli Majlis assisted by the First Deputy Speaker and two deputy speakers. Ogtay Asadov is the current speaker of the assembly, Ziyafet Asgarov is the First Deputy Speaker and, Bahar Muradova and Valeh Alasgarov are deputy speakers.[15] Currently (for the term of 2015-2010) 21 women and 104 men deputies are elected in National Assembly. National Assembly is divided into 15 Committees according to the areas they are focused.[16] Its structure also includes Chamber of Accounts, Toponymic Commission, Disciplinary Commission and Azerbaijan newspaper.[17]
A legislative initiative can be taken by an MP, the President of the Republic, the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor's Office, the NAR Supreme Council and a group of 40 thousand citizens who are eligible to vote. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a constituent part of Azerbaijan with its own elected parliament (the Supreme Council) consisting of 45 deputies. Elections to the Supreme Council are regulated by the Nakhchivan Constitution.[13][14]
Azerbaijan is considered a one party dominant state. Opposition parties against the New Azerbaijan Party are repressed and none of the post-1992 elections have been free and fair. Opposition parties are repressed. They have frequently been blocked from running in elections or they have boycotted elections due to the undemocratic conduct of the elections.
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party, headed by Ilham Aliyev, controls all the electoral commissions in Azerbaijan.[18]
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilham Aliyev | New Azerbaijan Party | 3,394,898 | 86.02 | |
| Zahid Oruj | Independent | 122,956 | 3.12 | |
| Sardar Jalaloglu | Azerbaijan Democratic Party | 119,621 | 3.03 | |
| Gudrat Hasanguliyev | Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party | 119,311 | 3.02 | |
| Hafiz Hajiyev | Modern Equality Party | 59,924 | 1.52 | |
| Araz Alizadeh | Azerbaijani Social Democratic Party | 54,533 | 1.38 | |
| Faraj Guliyev | National Revival Movement Party | 45,967 | 1.16 | |
| Razi Nurullayev | Independent | 29,229 | 0.74 | |
| Total | 3,946,439 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 3,946,439 | 99.69 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 12,413 | 0.31 | ||
| Total votes | 3,958,852 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 5,332,817 | 74.24 | ||
| Source: CEC | ||||
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Azerbaijan Party | 976,163 | 41.84 | 70 | +1 | |
| Musavat | 38,714 | 1.66 | 0 | 0 | |
| Civic Solidarity Party | 27,121 | 1.16 | 3 | +1 | |
| Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party | 16,189 | 0.69 | 1 | 0 | |
| Great Order Party | 15,846 | 0.68 | 1 | 0 | |
| Motherland Party | 12,587 | 0.54 | 1 | 0 | |
| Civic Unity Party | 11,983 | 0.51 | 1 | 0 | |
| Unity Party | 11,347 | 0.49 | 1 | 0 | |
| Azerbaijan Democratic Enlightenment Party | 9,004 | 0.39 | 1 | 0 | |
| Azerbaijan Hope Party | 7,565 | 0.32 | 0 | 0 | |
| Modern Musavat Party | 6,844 | 0.29 | 0 | New | |
| Azerbaijan National Independence Party | 6,688 | 0.29 | 0 | 0 | |
| United Azerbaijan Party | 6,358 | 0.27 | 0 | New | |
| Azerbaijan Democrat Party | 6,110 | 0.26 | 0 | 0 | |
| Democratic Reforms Party | 5,533 | 0.24 | 1 | 0 | |
| National Revival Movement Party | 4,980 | 0.21 | 0 | –1 | |
| Azerbaijan Free Republican Party | 2,637 | 0.11 | 0 | New | |
| Azerbaijan People's Party | 2,330 | 0.10 | 0 | 0 | |
| Azerbaijan Social Prosperity Party | 1,508 | 0.06 | 0 | –1 | |
| Democratic Azerbaijani World Party | 1,202 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | |
| National Unity Party | 1,163 | 0.05 | 0 | New | |
| Intellectuals Party | 1,029 | 0.04 | 0 | New | |
| Azerbaijan Communist Party | 957 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 | |
| Great Azerbaijan Party | 834 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 | |
| Citizen and Development Party | 798 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | |
| Justice Party | 766 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | |
| Azerbaijan Liberal Democratic Party | 638 | 0.03 | 0 | New | |
| Azerbaijan Fighters Party | 74 | 0.00 | 0 | New | |
| Independents | 1,155,884 | 49.55 | 41 | –2 | |
| Invalidated | 4 | – | |||
| Total | 2,332,852 | 100.00 | 125 | 0 | |
| Valid votes | 2,332,852 | 92.94 | |||
| Invalid/blank votes | 177,283 | 7.06 | |||
| Total votes | 2,510,135 | 100.00 | |||
| Registered voters/turnout | 5,359,015 | 46.84 | |||
| Source: MSK, IPU | |||||
The Cabinet of Ministers is the chief executive body under the authority of the President. The Prime Minister. Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, and Heads of other central executive organs are appointed and dismissed by the President. The Cabinet dissolves on the start of term by the newly elected President, who instead appoints a new Cabinet.
The powers of the Cabinet include drafting the state budget and presenting it to the president, executing the budget, implementing state economic and social programs, securing financial and credit and monetary policy, managing ministries and other executive bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan.[19]
The 8th Government of Azerbaijan is the cabinet in its current formation.
Although the Azerbaijan constitution nominally guarantees judicial independence, the executive firmly controls judges and prosecutors.[20] Judges and prosecutors collaborate in Azerbaijan to repress political opponents.[20]
Judicial power is administered by the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the courts of appeal, ordinary and specialised courts. The judicial system and legal proceedings are determined by law, and the establishment of extraordinary courts is prohibited. The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan is a supreme judicial body on civil, criminal and other cases related to the execution of general and specialized courts. The Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan is the supreme body of constitutional justice on the matters attributed to its jurisdiction by the Constitution, with authority to interpret and apply the Constitution of Azerbaijan. The Constitutional Court consists of nine judges appointed for a non-renewable 15-year term. Judges of Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan are appointed by Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of the Republic of Azerbaijan on recommendation by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Any person may appeal before it for the restoration of their infringed rights and freedoms. The 2003 Law on the Constitutional Court defines the Court's activities, as well as the status and duties of its judges. The Court's decisions are published and their execution is mandatory.[13]
The court system comprises three levels. The first level includes 86 district/city courts, 5 serious crime courts, 6 military courts and 7 economic courts. Cases are heard by a single judge or a panel of judges. The second level consists of 6 courts of appeal (“higher courts”), and the third level - the Supreme Court - is the highest judicial body for civil, criminal, economic and military matters. It reviews the decisions of appeal courts and clarifies judicial practice. The courts in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are part of the court system. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Supreme Court serves as the appeal instance and its rulings are considered in cassation by the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan.[13]
According to the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, the Prosecutor's Office is defined as a part of the Judicial branch. Prosecutors Office exercises control over fulfilment and application of laws within the legal framework; in cases envisaged by law it undertakes prosecution and carries out investigation; supports state accusation in the court of law; proposes actions in the court of law; and appeals against decisions of the court of law.[14]
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is autonomous state within the Republic of Azerbaijan.[14]
Local self-government in Azerbaijan is exercised by municipalities. Elections to municipalities and the status of municipalities are determined by the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Within the framework of the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan, municipalities are independent in exercising their powers. The state controls the implementation of the activities of municipalities. The municipalities submit the activity report to the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Municipalities are responsible to the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Every citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who has the right to participate in elections and who permanently resides in the respective constituencies, may be elected as a member of the municipality. Elections to the municipality are held every 5 years.
Municipalities organize their work through meetings that are convened by the chairman of municipalities. The chairman is elected at the meetings of the municipality. In addition, the rules of the local government, the powers of its members, the local budget and its implementation, taxes and fees are approved at meetings, local programs of social security, social and economic development, and economic programs are adopted. In the municipalities of the Republic of Azerbaijan, decisions are taken by a majority of the members of the municipality.[21]
Azerbaijan is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, NATO's Partnership for Peace, Euro-Atlantic Partnership, World Health Organization, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Council of Europe, CFE Treaty, the Community of Democracies, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank.
Turkey (the first country to recognize Azerbaijan's independence) has been a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan in its efforts to consolidate its independence, preserve its territorial integrity and realize its economic potential arising from the rich natural resources of the Caspian Sea. The Turkish cultural close ties with Azerbaijan is summarized by the slogan "One nation, two countries".
Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding and very bitter separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; the two countries are still at war, a cease-fire has been in place since 1994 but the fire has been renewed on 27 September 2020. (See Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Second Nagorno-Karabakh War).
Azerbaijan is one of the few countries with predominantly Muslim populations that shares a strategic alliance with Israel. Today, Israel is a major arms supplier to the country. (See Azerbaijan–Israel relations).
Azerbaijan also maintains good relations with the European Union, in the framework of its Eastern European Neighbourhood Policy (See Azerbaijan–European Union relations).
Azerbaijan was elected as one of the members of the newly established Human Rights Council (HRC) by the General Assembly on May 9, 2006. Term of office began on June 19, 2006.
The Azerbaijan Armed Forces consists of four military branches: the army, navy, air force, and air defense forces. The national armed forces of Azerbaijan were formed by presidential decree in October 1991.
In July 1992, Azerbaijan ratified the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), which establishes comprehensive limits on key categories of conventional military equipment and provides for the destruction of weaponry in excess of those limits.
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