Azerbaijan Gears Up for Presidential Elections Amidst Growing Candidate Pool

Baku/19.12.23/Turan: The candidates expanded to seven, presenting a mix of familiar faces and newcomers to the political arena. Along with current President Ilham Aliyev, the candidates were nominated by members of Parliament - Chairman of the Center for Social Research (CS) Zahid Oruj, Chairman of the People's Front of United Azerbaijan Party Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Chairman of the National Front Party Razi Nurullayev and Chairman of the Great Creation Party Fazil Mustafa. Besides them, the candidates were nominated by Chairman of the Great Azerbaijan Party Elshada Musayeva and former chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party of Azerbaijan Fuad Aliyev.

The Popular Front of Azerbaijan and the Musavat parties have declared their intention to boycott the elections, while the Umid and Law and Justice parties have pledged their support for President Ilham Aliyev.

Mirali Huseynov, Chairman of the Public Association for the Study of Democracy, offered insights into the pre-election dynamics during the "Difficult Question" program. He expressed skepticism about the necessity of early presidential elections, noting that even senior leaders of the ruling party failed to present compelling arguments in favor of the decision.

Despite Zahid Oruj's assertion that the move is driven by the need to protect statehood and ensure security, Huseynov deemed these justifications insufficient. While acknowledging the possibility that the decision might be related to upcoming events, he emphasized a lack of clarity regarding these potential developments.

Against the backdrop of significant global and regional changes, Huseynov acknowledged that polarization is occurring worldwide, and more serious threats could emerge in the region. However, he asserted that the Azerbaijani government appears sufficiently robust to weather potential challenges, particularly after successfully addressing the Karabakh issue.

Huseynov speculated that President Ilham Aliyev, at the height of his capabilities, opted for early elections as a strategic move to safeguard against unforeseen threats and secure his legitimacy under favorable conditions.

While the news of early presidential elections may have surprised many, Huseynov argued that political parties should have been better prepared, given their responsibility to society. He acknowledged the challenges faced by parties in Azerbaijan, citing issues such as re-registration and unfavorable conditions for normal activities.

As Azerbaijan navigates the complexities of its political landscape in the run-up to the elections, the dynamics between established figures and emerging challenges underscore the multifaceted nature of the country's political climate.