Will Azerbaijan's President Change?

• 02.06.2018, 18:58
•  Region,  World

vestnikkavkaza.net

On February 1, the ruling party of Azerbaijan, ''New Azerbaijan'' stated that it would suggest the candidacy of the current president, Ilham Aliyev, at the upcoming presidential elections, which was not surprising at all.

According to Azerbaijani media,  Aliyev has signed an order on February 5 announcing extraordinary presidential election. Under the order, the extraordinary presidential election will be held on April 11, 2018. Earlier, the Central Election Commission of the country stated that presidential elections will be held on October 17, 2018.

In addition to Aliyev, the former head of the opposition ''Musavat Party'', Isa Gambar, the leader of the ''Citizens and Development Party'', Ali Aliyev, and the leader of the ''Popular Front of Azerbaijan party'', Mirmahmud Miralioglu, also announced their candidacy. However, they can officially nominate their candidature only after the start of the election campaign, 60 days before the voting day.

It should be emphasized that according to the changes introduced into the Constitution of Azerbaijan in September 2016, the President of Azerbaijan will be in office for seven years, and by the constitutional referendum of 2009, Aliyev liquidated the restrictions on the term of running for the presidency, which allowed him already for the third time to be re-elected as the head of the country in 2013. These changes, in fact, paved the way for the extension of Aliyev's power. In addition, these changes created the post of vice-president, which is occupied by Aliyev's wife, Mehriban Aliyeva.

As a result of the past presidential elections in Azerbaijan, the current president Aliyev received 84.54% of the votes. Declaring the name of the candidate from the party "New Azerbaijan", the executive secretary, the vice-premier of the country Ali Hasanov noted that today people in Azerbaijan also trust and support Aliyev. As a reason, he points to "the positive changes taking place in the country, economic progress, as well as the positive image of Azerbaijan in the international community", forgetting, apparently, the recent defeats of Azerbaijani diplomacy and corruption scandals.

Nevertheless, there is almost no doubt in Aliyev's victory, both in the country and abroad. The two most powerful clans today are holding power in their hands both ''de jure'' and ''de facto''.