Intellectuals deny decadence

The Azerbaijani society is taking a hit caused by February 9-10, 2020 developments – early Parliamentary elections and proclamation of their results. Positive reports of election observers and full remarks following voting results from President Ilham Aliyev are televised in the country. In the meanwhile, the popular masses are watching numerous amateur video-recordings with compelling facts of open falsifications and distortions of the election process on February 9.

It must be borne in mind that a democratic part of intellectuals are sharing their views on election results and ways out of ever growing low spirits. 

 «That was a rainy day not only for society but authorities as well. There were no such depths of degradation. Crimes of the election administration were televised live; it was all-round and mass phenomenon. One cannot say any longer that accusations of inconsistency of our elections with democratic standards are calumny and fabrications of enemies of Azerbaijan.

Not for the first time that a part of society believed that Ilham Aliyev was poised to follow the path of reforms. We’ve been down that road after 2003. Today’s  45-50 years old were young in those days, they were just 30-35 and they gave credence to changes but proved out of their reckoning. They ran their own course.

However, within several last months they again gave credit to the fact that Ilham Aliyev has realized the necessity of radical reforms. And again they have been baffled in their hopes, writes Rauf Mirkadyrov in his article titled «It was no good a sleeping dog to wake».

A question arises: why has the most obedient Azerbaijani Parliament been dissolved? Why deputies that dissolved themselves before have again been appointed to Milli Majlis? Why have the authorities intentionally ruined the electoral institution? Made small talk about forced reforms but revealed themselves. Why? Yesterday’s disgrace ruined people’s hope for the future and thus radicalized society. Can’t they understand the situation? We are in no position to draw up strategic projects if questions above remain unanswered. Let’s think together, calls Natik Jafarli.

«I understand disappointment but do not accept despair», with this, Shain Jafarli’s posting begins in Facebook.  He does not believe that a new, false to the core Parliament will hold out for the next five years. This defraudation will backfire on those responsible for the new Parliament. The history is indicative that changes are inevitable in the course of time. For subjective factors the changes can be slow, sometimes adjourned but irreversible transformations are sure to take place.

«As a matter of fact, nothing has changed. In line with falsification scope the society is increasingly disappointed, and the number of questions rises. It is clear that the time is ripe to change thinking and psychology of the people, narrow interests-based morality and traditions. In this respect there are hopes on good education and free-thinking youth», says journalist Gulu Magerramli.

A primary goal of the people is to force the authorities creating a free electoral environment, for next elections on available basis are senseless. We realized that it is not possible to believe in populism. Our salvation lies  in the struggle some of us are trying to ignore, politician from Musavat Тofik Yagublu noted.

In the country where laws are trampled down the sole hope is laid on mass actions. This is the case of young people not indifferent to country’s future. Nobody is going to hand the democracy on a plate; we can win it only, Farhad Mehdiyev appeals to the public. «There are two ways to get out of the elections which is manifestation of disgrace and disrespect to humans – to cancel elections or hold a meeting, as was on January 19», he closed.

That’s the death of belief in the fact that the current ruling elite is capable of steering the country to reforms. This is none other than missed opportunity for society. Of interest is the fact that society will have a chance; ruling elite is unlikely. Society proved ability to resist, and it will resist violence at the earliest opportunity. It must be acknowledged that «it was no good a sleeping dog to wake», inferred Rauf Mirkadyrov.