Expert: Economic reforms to be deepened after referendum
By Gunay Hasanova
Economic reforms are expected to be deepened in Azerbaijan following the September 26 referendum, said MP Elman Nasirov.
Nasirov, who is also Director of the Political Studies Institute of the Academy of Public Administration under the Azerbaijani President, noted that the Azerbaijani people backed all 29 changes proposed to the Constitution.
“Now a new stage starts. The changes to be made to the current Constitution will be applied in real life”, said Nasirov, adding that the decision of the Constitutional Court on this issue is expected in the nearest 10 days.
Azerbaijan held a nationwide vote on amending the country's founding law – the Constitution on September 26. The citizens of Azerbaijan were asked to express their will by repealing or accepting particular changes and proposals through a direct vote.
The proposed changes envisage the extension of the presidential term from five to seven years, the establishment of the first vice-president and vice-president positions in the country as well as the cancellation of minimum age limit for presidential candidates, dissolution of parliament by the president. Final results of the nationwide vote will be announced until October 21.
Nasirov stressed that after the referendum new reforms will intensively be implemented in the country.
“We are completely sure about it. This is the initiative of the President”, he added.
In addition, he pointed out that besides the intensification of the reforms in the economic sphere, the reforms for improving the management system are in focus.
Nasirov also mentioned that the Vice-presidency Institute is new for Azerbaijan, but it will bring a very significant innovation to the country’s management system.
Previously, MP Musa Guliyev also said that the referendum means the beginning of a very important stage in the socio-economic life and system of statehood in Azerbaijan.
As many as 117 international observers – MPs from over 30 countries as well as observers from various international organizations, including the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) – were accredited by Azerbaijan’s CEC to observe the referendum.
Observers fixed high activity of the population, while no serious breach of law was registered. The number of polling stations in the referendum was 5,600 and there were about 10 observers in each polling station.
Previously, referendums were also held in Azerbaijan in 1995, 2002. The last time changes to the Constitution were made seven years ago, following Constitutional referendum held in 2009.
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Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova
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