"Some current candidates themselves do not believe that they are candidates"

In official descriptions, Azerbaijan’s parliament is presented as a fully-fledged institution — part of a multiparty system, endowed with legislative authority and integrated into international diplomatic networks. Yet behind this architecture, a different reality is increasingly visible: parliament functions as an arcitecture of the country’s foreign policy framework, but with limited capacity to shape it.

From the New Azerbaijan Party, Mazahir Panahov (who has served as Chairman of the CEC since 2000), Rovzat Gasimov, Ramiz Ibrahimov, Huseyn Pashayev, and Elmar Mammadov were appointed to the CEC. From the Great Creation Party (BQP), Bakhshyeyish Asgarov was appointed; from the Motherland Party (AVP), Etibar Guliyev; from the Justice, Law, Democracy Party (AHD), Mikayil Rahimov; from the Civic Solidarity Party (VHP), Almas Gahramanli; and from the Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (ADIP), Tofiq Hasanov and Ilkin Shahbazov.

The detention of Azerbaijani opposition leader Ali Kerimli on charges of plotting a government overthrow comes amid broader turmoil in the country’s political landscape, as authorities dismantle networks linked to former presidential administration chief Ramiz Mehdiyev and prepare for possible constitutional reforms next year, experts and politicians say.

There are only a few days left until the municipal elections to be held in Azerbaijan on January 29.