Azerbaijan's Parliament Seeks Early Elections Amid International Events and Political Controversy

In a move that has stirred significant political debate, the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan's parliament, has appealed to President Ilham Aliyev for the appointment of early parliamentary elections. This development follows a proposal from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) to advance the elections to November, citing the need to accommodate significant international events scheduled in the country.

The NAP's decision to push for early elections mirrors a similar move five years ago when the party dissolved parliament to align with President Aliyev's reform agenda. That election, held six months ahead of schedule, saw the re-election of many incumbent parliamentarians, drawing criticism and allegations of electoral manipulation from opposition parties. Critics argued that the government aimed to expedite the elections to facilitate potential falsifications.

Elshad Mirbashir Oglu, an NAP board member, said in an interview with Turan that the forthcoming elections would be the first to cover the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including areas recently brought under government control following a 2023 anti-terrorist operation. "This will be the first parliamentary election to cover the entire country, marking a significant milestone in our nation's history," he stated. Mirbashir Oglu also emphasized the importance of the upcoming COP29 conference in Baku, a major international event focused on climate change, as a factor in the decision to advance the elections.

However, opposition figures have voiced strong objections. Seymour Hazi, deputy chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), dismissed the NAP's rationale, suggesting that the early elections were another attempt to manipulate the electoral process. "The NAP has repeatedly shown itself to be a tool of the government, making decisions that lack genuine democratic intent," Hazi remarked. He argued that the true logic behind early elections remains known only to the authorities, branding the move as a continuation of anti-democratic practices.

The PFPA, which boycotted the previous early elections due to concerns over a lack of competitive electoral environment, remains undecided about participating in the forthcoming polls. Hazi noted the absence of conditions necessary for fair elections, pointing to the imprisonment of key opposition figures and the lack of electoral transparency.

Arif Hajili, chairman of the Musavat Party, echoed these concerns but remained open to participation. "While Musavat values the importance of parliamentary elections, we demand substantial reforms to ensure their fairness," Hajili said. He outlined the party's prerequisites, including the release of political prisoners, equitable representation in election commissions, and the guarantee of freedom of assembly.

Political analyst Azer Gasimli offered a critical perspective, arguing that the reasons for the early elections are obscure and reflect a broader issue of democratic backsliding. "Azerbaijan's electoral institutions have been effectively dismantled. The country remains stuck in its Soviet past, with only superficial changes," Gasimli commented.

The last parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan took place in February 2020. Under current legislation, municipal elections are also scheduled for this year, with presidential elections having been moved up from 2025 due to the restoration of sovereignty in Nagorno-Karabakh. International observers, including the OSCE, have reported numerous violations in recent elections, though Azerbaijani officials have consistently dismissed such criticisms.

As Azerbaijan braces for another round of early elections, the political landscape remains deeply divided, with questions of legitimacy and democratic integrity at the forefront of the national discourse.