The president of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the head of state of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Constitution states that the president is the embodiment of executive power, commander-in-chief, "representative of Azerbaijan in home and foreign policies", and "shall have the right of immunity [from prosecution]." The president rules through his executive office, the Presidential Administration, consisting of a group of secretaries and departmental ministers. Additionally, there is a Cabinet of Ministers regarding economic and social policy and a Security Council regarding foreign, military, and judicial matters.
| President of the Republic of Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|
| Azərbaycan Prezidenti | |
 Standard of the president | |
.jpg) | |
| Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Executive branch of the Government of Azerbaijan | |
| Type | Head of state |
| Residence | Zuğulba Residence in Baku (primary) |
| Term length | Seven years, unlimited number of terms[1] |
| Formation | 18 May 1990[2] |
| First holder | Ayaz Mutallibov |
| Deputy | Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan (1991–2002) Prime Minister of Azerbaijan (2002–2017) Vice President of Azerbaijan (2017–present) |
| Salary | 180,000 AZN annually[3] |
| Website | The President of Azerbaijan |
The primary workplace is the presidential building (also known as the presidential apparatus) on Istiglaliyyat Street in Baku.[4][5][6] Ilham Aliyev, son of the former president, Heydar, was elected the 4th and current president on 31 October 2003 after his father's resignation due to his deteriorating health.
Selection process and term
Eligibility
Candidates for the position must be Azerbaijani citizens without age restrictions and have lived in Azerbaijan for at least 10 years.[7] According to the Constitution of Azerbaijan, the same person can be on the post of President an unlimited number of terms.
Election
Each faction in the National Assembly has the right to nominate a candidate for the presidential elections. The minimum number of signatures for a presidential candidate fielded by a political party with no parliamentary representation is 40,000, before amendments to the law.[8]
Term of office
Prior to 2009, the term of office was five years, with a maximum of two terms. A referendum in 2009 removed the limit on the number of terms, and in 2016, another referendum increased the term to seven years. According to the Azerbaijani administration, a longer term would provide for more continuity in decision-making. The Venice Commission, of which Azerbaijan is a member, warned that this and other provisions of the referendum gave "unprecedented" authority to the president, and could severely upset the balance of power.[1]
Inauguration
The official inauguration ceremony of the president is not publicly held, occurring with the participation of officials of the Azerbaijan state (representatives of political parties, public organizations, military personnel, religious figures), members of the government, deputies of the National Assembly, members of the president's family, as well as foreign representatives and other invited guests.
It is held within three days after the confirmation of the elected president by the Constitutional Court, during which the president takes the following oath:[9]
"I swear, while exercising the powers of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to observe the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to protect the independence and territorial integrity of the state, and to serve the people with dignity."
Then the person elected president of Azerbaijan puts his right hand on the Koran and takes the following oath:
"I will remain faithful to the national moral values and traditions created by the Azerbaijani people for centuries, and I will always hold them high."
Then the president-elect of Azerbaijan bows and kisses the Azerbaijani flag. The ceremony ends with a speech by the president-elect of Azerbaijan. The following is a list of presidential inaugurations:
| Place | Date |
|---|---|
| National Assembly Building | 17 June 1992 [10] |
| Heydar Aliyev Palace | 10 October 1993 [11] |
| 18 October 1998 [11] | |
| 31 October 2003 [11] | |
| 24 October 2008 [11] | |
| National Assembly Building | 19 October 2013 [12] |
Powers and duties
Guarantor of the Constitution
As the guarantor of the Constitution and the entire system of constitutional law, the president ensures that the constitutions, laws and regulations of the constituent territories of the Azerbaijan be in full compliance with the country's Constitution and federal laws.
Foreign policy
The president is invested with extensive rights to implement the state's foreign policy. The president determines Azerbaijan's position in international affairs and represents the state in international relations, conducts negotiations and signs ratification documents.
Military policy
The president serves as the supreme commander-in-chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. In this capacity, he has the power to declare a martial law.
Agencies under the president
Presidential Administration
The Office of the President of Azerbaijan is the executive administration of the president, and is in charge of fulfilling the constitutional responsibilities of the president.[13] The headquarters of office is located on Istiglaliyyat Street in Baku.[14] It is currently headed by Samir Nuriyev.
Security Council
The Security Council (Təhlükəsizlik Şurası) is an advisory body to the president, established on 10 April 1997. The Security Council ensures the creation of conditions for the President to exercise his constitutional powers in the field of security. The chairman of the Security Council under the president of Azerbaijan is the president of Azerbaijan.[15] The following people are members of the council:
| Position | Holder |
|---|---|
| President/Chairman | Ilham Aliyev |
| Vice President of Azerbaijan | Mehriban Aliyeva |
| Secretary of Security Council | Ramil Usubov |
| Prime Minister of Azerbaijan | Ali Asadov |
| Chairman of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan | Sahiba Gafarova |
| Head of the Presidential Administration | Samir Nuriyev |
| Assistant to the President for Law Enforcement and Military Affairs | Fuad Alasgarov |
| Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan | Kamran Aliyev |
| Minister of Internal Affairs | Vilayat Eyvazov |
| Minister of Defense | Zakir Hasanov |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | Jeyhun Bayramov |
| Head of the State Border Service | Elchin Guliyev |
| Head of the State Security Service | Ali Nağıyev |
| Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service | Orkhan Sultanov |
Chief military advisors to the president of Azerbaijan have included Nuraddin Sadigov (1993–1999), Tofig Aghahuseynov (1997–2002) and National Security Vahid Aliyev (since April 2002).
Symbols
-
Fanfare of the president of Azerbaijan
-
Flag of the supreme commander-in-chief -
Standard of the president -
Flag of the president of Azerbaijan on board a State Border Service ship -
Flag of the president of Azerbaijan on board a Ministry of Emergency Situations ship
Standard
After the oath of office has been taken by the elected president, the standard is handed over to the president. These devices are used to display the rank of his office and are used on special occasions. The standard is a square version of the Azerbaijani flag, charged in the center with the Azerbaijani coat of arms. Golden fringe is added to the standard. Copies of the standard are used inside his office, other state agencies, and while the president is traveling in a vehicle inside Azerbaijan.[16] A 2:3 ratio version of the flag is used when the President is at sea. This is the most used symbol to denote the presence of the Azerbaijan president.
Military flag
The flag of the supreme commander-in-chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces was approved by the decree of President Ilham Aliyev on 11 April 2019.[17] The flag of the supreme commander-in-chief is the official military symbol of the president of Azerbaijan, with the original being kept in the service room of the president located in the Presidential Palace. It resembles the army flag but with the words "Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan".[17][18]
Badge
The badge of the president (Prezidentinin döş nişanı) was approved by decree on September 15, 2008.[19] It is in the shape of an octagonal star made of 18 carat gold, placed in a circle with a diameter. In the center is a mined image of the State Emblem of Azerbaijan, which is surrounded by two rings and 60 diamonds are lined up between the rings.[20]
Residences
The main (since 2008) presidential residence is Zagulba (Azerbaijani: Zaqulba).[21] Also, the president has several part-time residences outside of Baku:
- Youth Presidential Palace
- Presidential Mountain Palace in Qabala
- "Freedom" Guest House
- Palace of Happiness
- Gulustan Palace
- Presidential Library
- "Marxal" Treatment and Recreation Complex
As well as several vacation residences:
- Novkhani (Azerbaijani: Novxanı), Novkhani, Absheron Rayon
- Khoshbulaq (Azerbaijani: Xoşbulaq), Daşkəsən, Dashkasan District
- Göy Saray in Baku
- Vahdat Presidential Summer Palace in Shamakhi
- "Ulduz" Guest House
- "Youth" Guest House
Transport and security
National transport services for the Azerbaijan president are provided by the Special Purpose Garage,[22] which is a unit within the Special State Protection Service.[23]
- Limousines
- Honorary escort (motorcycles)
- Airplanes for long-distance travel
- Boeing 767-300ER 4K-AI01 "Baku-1" Main aircraft
- Airbus A319-100 4K-AI02 "Baku-2"
- Gulfstream G550 4K-AI06
The presidential aircraft uses the same colour scheme as standard AZAL aircraft, except for the use of the Azerbaijan coat of arms or the Presidential Standard on the empennage instead of the flag of Azerbaijan.
Presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan (1990–present)
| No. | President (birth–death) |
Term of office | Political party | Government | Elected | Ref | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| 1 | 
|
Ayaz Mutallibov Azerbaijani: Ayaz Mütəllibov (1938–2022) |
18 May 1990 | 6 March 1992 | 1 year, 293 days | Communist |
1. Mütəllibov II | 1990 1991 |
|
| First Nagorno-Karabakh War; Khojaly Massacre; Capture of Shusha; 1991 Azerbaijani Mil Mi-8 shootdown. Forced to submit his resignation after pressure from Azerbaijan Popular Front. | |||||||||
| – | 
|
Yagub Mammadov (acting) Azerbaijani: Yaqub Məmmədov (born 1941) |
6 March 1992 | 14 May 1992 | 69 days | None | — | — | [24] |
| Ousted by the armed revolt led by Azerbaijan Popular Front. | |||||||||
| (1) |
|
Ayaz Mutallibov Azerbaijani: Ayaz Mütəllibov (1938–2022) |
14 May 1992 | 18 May 1992 | 4 days | None | Mütəllibov II | — | |
| Deposed from his duty after takeover by Azerbaijan Popular Front. | |||||||||
| – | .jpg)
|
Isa Gambar (acting) Azerbaijani: İsa Qəmbər (born 1957) |
18 May 1992 | 17 June 1992 | 30 days | Musavat |
— | — | [25] |
| Assumed temporary duties of president until the national elections in 1992. | |||||||||
| 2 | Abulfaz Elchibey Azerbaijani: Əbülfəz Elçibəy (1938–2000) |
17 June 1992 | 24 June 1993 | 1 year, 7 days | Azerbaijani Popular Front Party | 2. Elçibəy I | 1992 | [26] | |
| Among the Soviet republics the Russian army was first withdrawn from Azerbaijan; The national currency of Azerbaijan was put into circulation; State Treasure Foundation was established; Entrance examinations to the high and vocational educational was held with test method for the first time; The foundation of private institutions in the education field was permitted; The passage to the Latin alphabet; Founded the SOCAR; Re-established Azerbaijani Armed Forces; Operation Goranboy. | |||||||||
| – | .jpg)
|
Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijani: Heydər Əliyev (1923–2003) |
24 June 1993 | 10 October 1993 | 108 days | New Azerbaijan Party | 3. H.Əliyev II | — | |
| 3 | 10 October 1993 | 31 October 2003 | 10 years | 1993 1998 |
[27] | ||||
| Founded the YAP; Heydar Aliyev's cult of personality; Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline; South Caucasus Pipeline; 1994 Baku Metro bombings. Survived coup attempt in 1995. | |||||||||
| 4 |
|
Ilham Aliyev Azerbaijani: İlham Əliyev (born 1961) |
31 October 2003 | Incumbent | 21 years, 21 days | New Azerbaijan Party | 6. İ.Əliyev I | 2003 2008 2013 2018 2024 |
[28] |
| Azerbaijan was elected as a non-permanent member to United Nations Security Council; foiled 2007 Baku terrorist plot; Azerbaijan State Oil Academy shooting; 2010 Mardakert skirmishes; 2011 Azerbaijani protests; Eurovision Song Contest 2012; 2013 Baku protests; 2014 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashes; 2014 Nagorno-Karabakh Mil Mi-24 shootdown; 2015 European Games; 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes; Baku City Circuit; 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games; 2020 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashes; 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. | |||||||||
Timeline
Latest election
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilham Aliyev | New Azerbaijan Party | 4,567,458 | 92.12 | |
| Zahid Oruj | Independent | 107,632 | 2.17 | |
| Fazil Mustafa | Great Order Party | 98,421 | 1.99 | |
| Qüdrat Hasanquliyev | Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party | 85,411 | 1.72 | |
| Razi Nurullayev | National Front Party | 39,643 | 0.80 | |
| Elşad Musayev | Great Azerbaijan Party | 32,885 | 0.66 | |
| Fuad Aliyev | Independent | 26,517 | 0.53 | |
| Total | 4,957,967 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 4,957,967 | 99.80 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 9,828 | 0.20 | ||
| Total votes | 4,967,795 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 6,514,222 | 76.26 | ||
| Source: CEC | ||||
See also
References
- ^ a b "Azerbaijan holds referendum to extend president's term". Reuters. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2019 – via www.reuters.com.
- ^ "Высшие органы государственной власти Азербайджанской ССР". Archived from the original on 3 March 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "5 Highest Paid Asian Political Leaders". Archived from the original on 26 July 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Kompass catalog". Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ "ПРЕЗИДЕНТСКИЙ АППАРАТ АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ". Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ Baku Information Archived 2011-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "AZƏRBAYCAN RESPUBLİKASINDA DÖVLƏT HAKİMİYYƏTİ HAQQINDA ÜMUMİ MƏLUMAT". www.taxes.gov.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ "Ten Candidates Registered For Azerbaijani Presidential Election". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 17 September 2013. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "Конституция Азербайджанской Республики" (in Russian). base.spinform.ru. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "22 il öncə bu günlər torpaqlarımız azad edilirdi..." (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 23 July 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Дворец имени Гейдара Алиева, Баку, Азербайджан: описание, фото, где находится на карте, как добраться". www.1000mest.ru. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "В Милли Меджлис состоялась инаугурация Президента Азербайджанской Республики" (in Russian). Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ OSCE Office in Baku
- ^ "ПРЕЗИДЕНТСКИЙ АППАРАТ АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ". Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
- ^ "Azərbaycan Respublikası Təhlükəsizlik Şurası".
- ^ "Standard of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan" (PDF). Administrative Department of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Presidential Library. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Azərbaycan Silahlı Qüvvələri Ali Baş Komandanının bayrağı haqqında Azərbaycan Prezidentinin 11 aprel 2019-cu il tarixli 622 nömrəli Fərmanı". www.e-qanun.az. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ ONA.az. "Ali Baş Komandanın bayrağının hazırlanması, saxlanması və asılması qaydası müəyyənləşib". ONA (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "Azərbaycan Prezidentinin döş nişanı haqqında Azərbaycan Prezidentinin 15 sentyabr 2008-ci il tarixli 832 nömrəli Fərmanı". www.e-qanun.az. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
- ^ "Azərbaycan Prezidentinin döş nişanı haqqında Azərbaycan Prezidentinin 15 sentyabr 2008-ci il tarixli 832 nömrəli Fərmanı". www.e-qanun.az. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
- ^ ВИЗИТ НЕ ВЕЖЛИВОСТИ. gazeta-nv.info (in Russian). Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ Republic of Azerbaijan - Special State Protection Service Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Heydar Aliyev's Heritage International Online Library: Speech by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, the High Chief in a ceremony marking the 5th anniversary of the founding of the National Guard - National Guard headquarters in Azerbaijan, 25 December 1996 Archived 24 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine (in Russian)
- ^ "Yaqub Məmmədov nurçuları Azərbaycana gətirənin adını açıqladı - MÜSAHİBƏ". publika.az (in Azerbaijani). 5 May 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ "İsa Qəmbər on adam.az". adam.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ (in French) "Les liaisons dangereuses de la police turque" Archived 2013-11-05 at the Wayback Machine, Le Monde diplomatique, March 1997
- ^ Lewis, Paul (13 December 2003). "H.A. Aliyev, K.G.B. Officer And Azeri Leader, 80, Dies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ^ "Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev claims election victory". BBC News. 9 October 2013. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
External links
- The President of Azerbaijan
- The President of Azerbaijan (in Azerbaijani)
- The President of Azerbaijan (in Russian)