Azerbaijan turns into a super-presidential republic

On 18 July  President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree  to send to the Constitutional Court the draft referendum on amendments to Azerbaijani Constitution with a view to  make a conclusion. The amendments are clearly aimed at expanding the already broad powers of the president.

Thus, the document provides for the establishment of the institute's first vice president and vice-presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan. They are appointed and dismissed by the President.

From now on, if the president is unable to perform the duties of head of state, that his powers are transferred to the first vice-president. In the current edition  of the Constitution the President’s powers are transferred to the prime minister. The difference is that if the prime minister is approved by parliament, the president himself will appoint  the  first vice-president  any coordination. In addition, it is proposed to extend the powers of the President from 5 to 7 years. The President is granted the authority to declare a special election of the President.

 It is also proposed to eliminate the minimum age limit for a presidential candidate who is now set to 35 years of age. Anew amendment has been proposed to the Constitution providing for  the possibility of the dissolution of parliament. Now it is not envisaged by the Constitution. According to the project, the dissolution of Parliament is possible in the following cases: If the Milli Majlis for one year twice  makes a vote of no confidence to the Cabinet or twice does not approve after the submission by the President  the members of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, the Board of the Central Bank by a number of members  necessary for the activities of these bodies, etc. Parliament can be dissolved by  the president. If the Constitutional Court  gives a positive opinion, the document will be submitted to referendum.-06D--