Arif Hajili: "Ilham Aliyev does not intend to run for office"

A little more than a year remains until the presidential elections in Azerbaijan. During the last three presidential elections, almost no electoral intrigue was observed, the elections themselves, despite numerous violations recorded by local and foreign observers, were deemed valid. Following the results of all three elections, Ilham Aliyev was announced the president.

Almost all experts assumed that Aliyev would run for president for the fourth time. The amended Constitution of Azerbaijan gives him the right to be elected countless times while the country is at war. Forecasts were justified. A few days ago Aydin Mirzazade, the head of the Political Analysis and Forecasting Department of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), told reporters that the party will nominate Ilham Aliyev again in the upcoming presidential election in 2018. "We believe that Mr.Ilham Aliyev will be elected president," Mirzazade stressed.

The ruling party has already determined the candidate, but the leading opposition party has not made any official statements about the candidates. Chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Ali Kerimli told Turan that it is too early to talk about the presidential elections of 2018. According to him, the ruling party is already replicating the issue of elections, pursues two goals: "First, the authorities are trying to divert attention from corruption scandals, and secondly, to create some uncertainty with the name of the candidate from the ruling regime. Because possible discussions are planned around the candidature of another member of the ruling family. Some people loyal to Ilham Aliyev, call him a candidate, and some - the candidacy of his wife. Probably, this issue has not yet been resolved within the family. In any case, the main goal is to create in the country a guarantee of holding democratic elections. To date, Azerbaijan is one of the most undemocratic countries, there are no conditions for holding elections. Therefore, in this country, the election race can not be on the agenda. "

According to Kerimli, the fact that Ilham Aliyev intends to run for the fourth time will attract the attention of the whole world: "The world is initially forming a negative opinion about the person intending to be a life president, and Ilham Aliyev's desire to become president for the fourth time will be internationally criticized."

The PFPA chairman also announced plans of the opposition in the pre-election period.

"We, as an opposition, will hold a serious campaign, so that Ilham Aliyev does not dream of eternal presidency. Therefore, the ruling family is preparing a second candidate, in case a protest in the country and in the international space will intensify the eternal presidency. For our party and the National Council, the nomination of candidates for the presidential elections is not currently the subject of discussion. There is still a lot of time. In general, as the election period approaches, it will be necessary to launch a large campaign so that the Aliyev candidates no longer exist. For 45 years, one family runs the country. Everything has a limit. You can not show such contempt for the people, nowhere in the world there is. If Bashar Assad is overthrown, the Aliyevs will become record holders for the duration of the rule. Therefore, the people must gather and say no to the ruling family,"A. Kerimli said.

The head of the Musavat party, Arif Hajili, expressed confidence in the change of candidate from the ruling party in the 2018 elections: "The changes approved at last year's referendum, and then Mehriban Aliyeva's appointment as first vice-president, are signs of a change of candidate from the ruling elite of the country. I think that by nominating Ilham Aliyevthe Yeni Azerbaijan Party , announces that the candidate will not change, and demands from the ruling family to speak at the elections with the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev.

According to Hajili, serious changes are coming. "Some recent changes in the system of state administration and other steps indicate that Ilham Aliyev does not intend to run for the upcoming elections," he said.

Hajili also mentioned the party's plans for the 2018 elections. "Musavat has already announced the participation in the presidential election with the candidacy of Isa Gambar. We, like the Musavat Party, are usually inclined to participate in elections and put forward proposals for reforms in the electoral system. These proposals primarily concern changes in electoral legislation. If some changes can be made in this legislation, the political situation in the country, the attitude of the international community towards the elections in Azerbaijan will change, we are going to participate in the elections with the candidature of Isa Gambar,"A. Hajili said.--0--