Introduction of Posts of Deputy Heads of Presidential Administration Aimed at Strengthening Power Vertical

Establishment of the deputy heads of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan should not be seen as a step in the reform of public administration in a democratic manner. On the contrary, it is aimed at strengthening the vertical of power and its concentration around the head of the state and his administration.

At least, a source close to the government told Turan the authorities of the heads of several departments of the presidential administration will be increased, and the power vertical will be strengthened.

According to the same source, the charter of deputy chief of the President Administration is being prepared. "It will reflect the implementation of a more flexible and efficient control over the execution of the President’s decisions and national security. Thus, the deputy chiefs of the Administration will control over the defense and security agencies, local authorities, ministries and agencies, and the diplomatic service of Azerbaijan. The deputy heads will have the authority to coordinate the activities of ministries and agencies in the assigned areas.

They will have the right to hold meetings with the leaders of the supervised institutions, and decision-making in these areas," said the source.

Thus, the office of the deputy head will be similar to the powers of the former heads of departments of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan. There is further increase in the hierarchy of the executive power of the presidential administration and proportional weakening of the Cabinet. If before the administration was focused on domestic policy, the management of local authorities, humanitarian and security agencies and law enforcement bodies, now they will get extra leverage. Thus, with the rise of the Assistant to the President on Economic Issues to the deputy head of the administration with the authority to control the relevant ministries and agencies, the competence of the executive office of the President will extend to the socio-economic sphere.

In addition, the administration has now become more actively engaged in the direction of foreign policy.

Recall that at the end of last week, President Ilham Aliyev appointed deputy heads of the Administration - his aides on economic and military issues, Ali Asadov and Vahid Aliyev, as well as heads of departments for international relations and work with the regional administration - Novruz Mammadov and Zeynal Nagdaliyev.

Earlier, last summer, the President approved the position of the local authorities. It provides for raising the status of the heads of regions and towns, and obedience of the local departments of all ministries to them, with the exception of the security forces.

Thus, the government increasingly enhances the vertical of executive power, which is concentrated around the President and his administration and the heads of local governments directly subordinated to them. - 03B06 –