Arif Hajili: Coming Years to Be Period of Decisive Struggle against Authoritarianism

Baku / 15.10.19 / Turan: The coming five years will be a period of a more determined struggle against the authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan than in previous years. This opinion was expressed by the re-elected chairman of the Musavat party Arif Hajili on October 13 in an interview with Chetin Sual (Difficult Question) of the Turan news agency.

In his opinion, this period will be the time of "chances and opportunities for change".

As noted by Hajili, Musavat will go in the forefront of the struggle for democratic change.

The party has already set an example of organizing democratic elections at its congress when the chairman was elected on an alternative basis.

At the same time, he regretted the lack of democratic elections in Azerbaijan.

"There are no real elections in Azerbaijan, no ombudsman, no judges, no prosecutors, no parties. The Azerbaijani authorities have achieved to a large extent that society perceives the elections in the country as a kind of political process that is not related to it.

Therefore, we first generated interest in elections within the party. On the other hand, we have applied what we demand from the Azerbaijani authorities. We held alternative elections and for the first time in Azerbaijan, the debates of candidates. The elections were transparent, free and democratic. I believe that the elections held in Musavat were exemplary," Hajili said.

The congress adopted a number of important documents, including tactics against corruption, a resolution to the Karabakh conflict, and elections.

Musavat considers it necessary to ensure minimum democratic standards for its participation in the elections.

It"s about creating conditions for equal political competition,

According to Hajili, Musavat intends to organize a joint struggle between political organizations and society as a whole to achieve these goals.

Touching upon the issue of Musavat"s participation in the upcoming municipal and parliamentary elections, Hajili noted that these two issues should be distinguished from each other.

According to him, the interest of political parties in municipal elections is low due to the lack of real powers of local authorities.

Musavat will take part in the parliamentary elections if the country manages to ensure the minimum conditions for democratic elections. -16B06-