Question of Nomination of Single Candidate from National Council Left Open (UPDATED)(video)

The founding conference of the National Council of Democratic Forces ended today with adoption of a joint document of the social organization, bringing together a broad coalition of democratic forces of Azerbaijan.

However, the main issue - nominating a single candidate for the upcoming presidential elections from the National Council - was not solved.

All the speakers supported the nomination as a single candidate of the famous playwright Rustam Ibrahimbekov. However, it was also suggested to organize a consultation in the political parties, and then take a decision on the nomination of a single candidate.

 It can be assumed that this issue will take a few weeks and no surprises will occur, so Ibrahimbekov will be the single candidate.

In the Declaration adopted today, the National Council said that if it wins the presidential election, its candidate will take the following steps in the two-year transition period: the president's powers will be limited and a real balance will be provided between the legislative, executive and judicial powers, the government will be formed by the parliamentary majority, parliamentary elections will be held on a parity basis on the majority-proportional system, and the new Constitution will be adopted, providing for decentralization of power.

On the basis of the new Constitution it is expected to conduct new free and fair parliamentary, presidential and municipal elections.

The main priority of their foreign policy will be the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, based on the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. -0 –

2013 June 07 (Friday) 12:57:53

At the headquarters of the Civil Solidarity Party (CSP) today there is held the founding meeting of the National Council of the democratic forces.

The meeting was opened by a member of the Coordinating Council of the Forum of intellectuals, Professor Jamil Hasanli. Azerbaijan's national anthem was performed. By a moment of silence, the meeting paid tribute to those killed in the fight for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and democracy.

The meeting involved 97 people - representatives of opposition parties, civil society, scientific and creative intelligentsia.

Hasanli noted that the establishment of NCDF is a requirement of time due to the deep social and economic problems, high corruption, massive violations of human rights, the lack of progress in resolving the Karabakh conflict.

The participants of the meeting unanimously voted to build NCDF. The agenda also includes the issue of Regulation of NCDF, adopting declarations and appeals to the international community.

Human rights activist Leila Yunus proposed to include in the agenda the issue of nominating a single candidate in the presidential elections from NCDF and specifically the screenwriter Rustam Ibrahimbekov. It is motivated by the fact that the ruling party is also now holding a convention and putting forward Ilham Aliyev as a candidate from power. This caused a heated debate in the hall.

The head of the Liberal Party Avaz Temirkhan supported this proposal.

The leader of the EL movement Eldar Namazov also supported the candidacy of Ibrahimbekov and noted the need to consult on this matter with the political parties.

The Chief of staff of the party Musavat Arif Hajily and other participants in the meeting opposed the discussion at the first meeting on the issue of a single candidate.

In the end, 13 people voted for the proposal of Yunus, with two abstentions.

It was further agreed the position of NCDF, according to which the supreme body of NCDF is a session convened at least 1 time in 2 weeks. NCDF session shall elect a chairman, who directs the body in between sessions. The meeting continues.

Note that NCDF included leaders and activists of the parties Musavat, Popular Front, Civil Solidarity, Classic Popular Front, Liberal Party, Open Society Party, Aydinlar, Islamic Party, Great Azerbaijan Party, National Unity Party, and the movement EL. In addition, NCDF includes political prisoners. -C06-