Azerbaijan's Leadership: Selection Process And Decision-Makers

Azerbaijan is a republic with a presidential form of government. The presidency is the main branch of government, dominating the judiciary and legislature. The president is the embodiment of executive power, commander-in-chief, and representative of Azerbaijan in domestic and foreign policies.

The current president of Azerbaijan is Ilham Aliyev, who succeeded his father Heydar Aliyev in 2003. Heydar Aliyev ruled Azerbaijan with an iron fist since 1993 and described his son as his political successor. Ilham Aliyev was already prime minister, vice chairman of the state oil company, and deputy leader of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) when his father died.

In 2009, a referendum removed the limit on the number of terms a president could serve, and in 2016, another referendum increased the term length from five to seven years.

The selection process for the President of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's current president, Ilham Aliyev, was elected in February 2024, winning a fifth consecutive term with over 92% of the vote. Aliyev was first elected in 2003, taking over from his father, Heydar Aliyev, who had ruled Azerbaijan since 1993.

The 2024 election was originally planned for 2025, but Aliyev called an early poll after his popularity surged following Azerbaijan's successful military campaign in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. This campaign brought an end to three decades of ethnic Armenian rule in the region, with most of its 120,000 ethnic Armenian residents fleeing to neighbouring Armenia.

However, international observers noted that Aliyev had no meaningful challenger in the election, and that the vote was "devoid of genuine pluralism". The main rival parties boycotted the election, and one opposition leader described it as an "imitation of democracy".

There have been concerns over Aliyev's commitment to democracy, with human rights groups expressing reservations and critics noting that dissenting voices are largely absent from mainstream media. Western observers have also been critical of past election campaigns, citing voter intimidation, violence, and media bias.

The role of the President

The President of Azerbaijan is the head of state and the main branch of government, dominating the judiciary and legislature. The Constitution states that the president is the embodiment of executive power, the commander-in-chief, and the "representative of Azerbaijan in home and foreign policies".

The president rules through the Presidential Administration, which consists of a group of secretaries and departmental ministers. The president also has a Cabinet of Ministers regarding economic and social policy and a Security Council regarding foreign, military, and judicial matters. The Security Council is an advisory body to the president, ensuring the creation of conditions for the president to exercise their constitutional powers in the field of security.

The president is responsible for implementing the state's foreign policy. They determine Azerbaijan's position in international affairs, represent the state in international relations, conduct negotiations, and sign ratification documents. The president is also the supreme commander-in-chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and has the power to declare martial law.

The president is also the guarantor of the Constitution and the entire system of constitutional law, ensuring that the constitutions, laws, and regulations of the constituent territories of Azerbaijan are in full compliance with the country's Constitution and federal laws.

The selection process for the position of president requires candidates to be Azerbaijani citizens who have lived in Azerbaijan for at least 10 years. There is no age restriction, and the same person can hold the office of president for an unlimited number of terms.

The official inauguration ceremony of the president is held within three days of their confirmation by the Constitutional Court. During the ceremony, the president takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, protect the independence and territorial integrity of the state, and serve the people with dignity. They also swear to remain faithful to the national moral values and traditions of Azerbaijan.

The current president of Azerbaijan is Ilham Aliyev, who succeeded his father, Heydar Aliyev, in 2003. Heydar Aliyev ruled Azerbaijan with an iron fist since 1993 and described his son as his "political successor". Ilham Aliyev won a fifth consecutive term in February 2024 with over 92% of the vote, although international observers noted that he had no meaningful challenger. Western observers have criticised previous election campaigns, citing voter intimidation, violence, and media bias.

The President's powers

The President of Azerbaijan is the head of state and the embodiment of executive power. The President is also the commander-in-chief and the "representative of Azerbaijan in home and foreign policies". The President rules through their executive office, the Presidential Administration, which consists of secretaries and departmental ministers. The President also has a Cabinet of Ministers regarding economic and social policy and a Security Council regarding foreign, military, and judicial matters.

The President of Azerbaijan has extensive powers, including the ability to implement the state's foreign policy. The President determines Azerbaijan's position in international affairs, represents the state in international relations, conducts negotiations, and signs ratification documents. The President is also the supreme commander-in-chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and has the power to declare martial law.

The President is the guarantor of the Constitution and the entire system of constitutional law. They ensure that the constitutions, laws, and regulations of the constituent territories of Azerbaijan are in full compliance with the country's Constitution and federal laws.

The President is elected by popular vote and there are no age restrictions for candidates, who must be Azerbaijani citizens and have lived in the country for at least 10 years. The President is elected for a term of seven years, and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve.

The President's term length

The President of Azerbaijan is elected by the people of Azerbaijan. The President is the head of state and the embodiment of executive power.

The removal of term limits in 2009 was criticised by the Venice Commission, of which Azerbaijan is a member. They warned that this change, along with other provisions of the referendum, gave "unprecedented" authority to the president and could severely disrupt the balance of power.

The current president, Ilham Aliyev, was first elected in 2003 and is currently serving his fifth term. He won the 2024 election with over 92% of the vote, but international observers noted that he had no meaningful challenger. The main rival parties boycotted the election, and one opposition leader described it as an "imitation of democracy".

The President's popularity

The current president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has been in power since 2003, when he took over from his father, Heydar Aliyev, who resigned due to his deteriorating health. Heydar Aliyev, a former Soviet Communist leader, had ruled Azerbaijan with an iron fist since 1993 and described his son as his "political successor".

Ilham Aliyev's popularity has been bolstered by Azerbaijan's successful military campaign in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which brought an end to three decades of ethnic Armenian rule in the region. This victory was described by Aliyev as "an epochal event unparalleled in Azerbaijan's history".

Aliyev's popularity led to his decision to call an early election in 2024, which he won with over 92% of the vote. However, international observers, including the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), have criticised the election as being "devoid of genuine pluralism" and "an imitation of democracy". The election was boycotted by the main rival parties, and dissenting voices are largely absent from the mainstream media.

Despite concerns over Aliyev's democratic credentials, human rights abuses, and media freedom restrictions, Western countries have continued to court him due to their interest in accessing Azerbaijan's oil and gas supplies.

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