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 | | "I am My Father's Follower, the Follower of My Family." Ilham Aliyev |
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| By Piers von Berg |
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On Monday August 3, the Milli Majlis confirmed the appointment of Ilham Aliyev as the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan. President Heydar Aliyev who is currently receiving treatment in hospital made the appointment in accordance with Article 118 of the constitution. The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Erdogan, welcomed the appointment as a "very successful and prospective" development. Although the opposition press in Baku criticized the move as undemocratic, the United States State Department recognized it as "fully consistent" with the constitution.
The Azeri government stated that the president is making a speedy recovery but under recent amendments to the constitution the Prime Minister would take charge of the country in any other event. What is certain is that the president still undoubtedly commands widespread support and respect. Attention will now likely be focused on the new Prime Minister as a stabilizing factor with a presidential election approaching on October 15. The State Department spokesperson added they "would look and hope that the new prime minister would work for reform in Azerbaijan", and, "a furtherance of democracy including improved election processes for this fall's elections". Undoubtedly business leaders are also watching to see a safe and stable climate for their investments. On this point Ilham Aliyev has stated in a recent interview: "I think that our key goal is in maintenance of the established economic stability and improvement in this direction. I am not a supporter of any sharp actions. I think that everything should be settled gradually". Significantly, David Woodward, BP's President in Azerbaijan, was quoted as saying "I think he [Ilham Aliyev] has the capability to be the leader of the country and a good leader".
Ilham Aliyev is known internationally as Azerbaijan's ambassador to the PACE, where he lobbies the international community to act against Armenia's illegal occupation of Azerbaijan. Andreas Gross, PACE's special rapporteur in Azerbaijan, viewed Mr. Aliyev's appointment as a step forward for democracy and a step closer to the West: "I think that Ilham Aliyev's appointment will give a strong impulse to the development of the democracy in Azerbaijan and the process of its integration in the West will take place faster".
Whatever people's opinion, the next few months may reveal the face of a new era as Azerbaijan's elite seek to continue ten years of peaceful stability and increased foreign investment.
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