Azerbaijani Parliament Dissolves Itself, Requests Snap Election

The parliament of Azerbaijan recommended its own dissolution in December. (Wikimedia Commons)

The parliament of Azerbaijan voted to dissolve itself on December 2, setting the stage for snap elections to elect a new government, according to Al Jazeera. The dissolution passed by a measure of 99 votes to one, with one abstention. The vote comes amid political turmoil after the unexplained resignation of former Prime Minister Novruz Mammadov in October. The formal declaration claimed that the legislative body does not currently meet national policy, reports Armedia. The former members of parliament called upon President Ilham Aliyev to hold new elections for parliamentary seats within 60 days, which is the legal limit on a period during which the legislature does not meet.

The vote came on the same day as Aliyev’s announcement that he would restructure his presidential cabinet to better suit the needs of the country, according to Eurasianet. The new structure is intended to accelerate reform, which Aliyev has supported in the form of wage increases, tax system improvements, and the release of political prisoners.

The dissolution of Azerbaijan’s parliament comes amid turmoil within the government as Aliyev attempts to keep his footing in a nation ripe for major reform. Eurasianet reports that the coming elections are likely to usher in a generation of young, technology-adept candidates. Aliyev hopes that these candidates will support his efforts to counter the dissatisfaction that has emerged under his time in office, which has been marked by economic stagnancy. 

Aliyev’s support of the snap elections is part of his attempt to appeal to democracy, even though Freedom House has counted his almost two-decade rule as an authoritarian regime. The publication, which ranks nations based on their implementation of democracy, has criticized Azerbaijan’s lack of general freedom, particularly its intense intolerance of dissent. Rising tensions within the country culminated in the violent dispersal of peaceful protests in October 2019, according to Human Rights Watch.

While the move may pave the way for greater representation of opposition parties, several opposition figures have expressed fatigue at their inability to gain a foothold in the government, according to OC Media. These parties announced their intent to gain seats in parliament and form a coalition with independent candidates. However, the opposition coalition, which operates under the conglomerate National Council of Democratic Forces, has announced its intent to boycott the election in protest of Aliyev’s corruption, which they believe will instate a new set of presidential cronies in the absence of democratic integrity. 

Moreover, Aliyev’s decision to name his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, as the country’s first vice president indicates that he intends to perpetuate the dynastic presidency that he inherited from his father in 2003, according to Bloomberg News. Ali Karimli, an opposition leader whose participation in protests has resulted in extensive jail time, speculated that the election may well prove to be Aliyev’s final consolidation of power in the hands of his family before passing the presidency onto Aliyeva.

The elections are set to occur on February 9, OC Media reports.