What is the real reason for the early parliamentary elections?

The Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan's parliament, has requested President Ilham Aliyev to schedule early parliamentary elections, originally planned for November, due to the upcoming international events in the country. This decision was made following a proposal by the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party (YAP) on June 20, highlighting the logistical challenges of hosting both the parliamentary elections and the COP 29 conference in November.

The call for early elections mirrors a similar move five years ago when the YAP dissolved parliament to align with presidential reforms. The last early elections took place on February 9, 2020, eight months ahead of schedule, amidst the backdrop of the impending Karabakh conflict.

Bashir Suleymanli, head of the Institute of Civil Rights, discussed the implications of this decision in the program "A Difficult Question." Suleymanli emphasized that early elections are a common practice in transitional states like Azerbaijan and often coincide with strategic or unforeseen factors not immediately apparent to the public.

The early election initiative aims to avoid the logistical difficulties of managing two large-scale events simultaneously. The COP 29 conference, scheduled for November 11-22 in Baku, would overlap with the constitutionally mandated parliamentary elections set for November 3. The YAP's proposal seeks to ensure that both events can proceed smoothly without compromising organizational efficacy.

The move is seen as both a practical and politically motivated decision, ensuring Azerbaijan can maintain its international commitments while facilitating a smooth electoral process. The precise new date for the elections has yet to be announced, pending the President's approval.