Ruling party sees opposition merger as ‘outside order’
BAKU - The planned unification of two opposition parties in
Azerbaijan is "executing an order from abroad", deputy chairman of
the ruling Yeni (New) Azerbaijan (YAP) Party Ali Ahmadov has
said.
The Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), which is part of the main opposition bloc Azadlig, has decided to launch talks on establishing an election bloc with Musavat, an opposition party which earlier faced long-standing differences with PFPA. The move has prompted angry responses from other parties included in Azadlig, and an announcement followed that the bloc would cease to exist.
On Thursday, Musavat leader Isa Gambar in turn offered uniting with PFPA, saying a need has emerged for a unification of political forces in Azerbaijan. PFPA chairman Ali Karimli termed it "a brilliant idea", saying it was feasible.
"So far, relations between those parties were on such a level that they could nearly call each other to a duel. The decision to unite is grounds to presume that a relevant order was issued outside Azerbaijan," the YAP official told reporters Friday.
Ahmadov noted that these parties have repeatedly formed unions in the past and such initiatives have always failed, saying that the same was in store for the bloc that will be set up soon.
"During election campaigns the source of support for political organizations is the people, the voters. For anyone relying on any outside support, it is impossible to succeed."
According to Ahmadov, there are no political forces capable of competing with YAP in the November 7 parliamentary elections.
"These parties’ unification cannot be any source of threats for us. Even if those who are not joining them joined this union, they wouldn’t pose a threat to YAP. There is no contester that could face off with YAP today."
PFPA chairman Karimli has said that the intended unification would be greatly beneficial for the Azerbaijani society.
"Primarily, unification of these two parties will put to rest the question of seeking an alternative to the authorities for the overwhelming majority of the population," Karimli maintained.
"These two parties are very strong, compared to others anyway. As a result of joining the two parties, a real alternative to the incumbent authorities will emerge. Secondly, large resources will concentrate in one place both in terms of human [capital] and financially. Thirdly, and most importantly, such an alternative could do away with apathy in our society."*
The Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), which is part of the main opposition bloc Azadlig, has decided to launch talks on establishing an election bloc with Musavat, an opposition party which earlier faced long-standing differences with PFPA. The move has prompted angry responses from other parties included in Azadlig, and an announcement followed that the bloc would cease to exist.
On Thursday, Musavat leader Isa Gambar in turn offered uniting with PFPA, saying a need has emerged for a unification of political forces in Azerbaijan. PFPA chairman Ali Karimli termed it "a brilliant idea", saying it was feasible.
"So far, relations between those parties were on such a level that they could nearly call each other to a duel. The decision to unite is grounds to presume that a relevant order was issued outside Azerbaijan," the YAP official told reporters Friday.
Ahmadov noted that these parties have repeatedly formed unions in the past and such initiatives have always failed, saying that the same was in store for the bloc that will be set up soon.
"During election campaigns the source of support for political organizations is the people, the voters. For anyone relying on any outside support, it is impossible to succeed."
According to Ahmadov, there are no political forces capable of competing with YAP in the November 7 parliamentary elections.
"These parties’ unification cannot be any source of threats for us. Even if those who are not joining them joined this union, they wouldn’t pose a threat to YAP. There is no contester that could face off with YAP today."
PFPA chairman Karimli has said that the intended unification would be greatly beneficial for the Azerbaijani society.
"Primarily, unification of these two parties will put to rest the question of seeking an alternative to the authorities for the overwhelming majority of the population," Karimli maintained.
"These two parties are very strong, compared to others anyway. As a result of joining the two parties, a real alternative to the incumbent authorities will emerge. Secondly, large resources will concentrate in one place both in terms of human [capital] and financially. Thirdly, and most importantly, such an alternative could do away with apathy in our society."*
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