Lawmakers back changes to increase presidential terms
Lawmakers of Azerbaijan`s ruling party called for
removing the constitutional provision banning the election of any
person as Azerbaijani president more than twice at a parliamentary
session on Tuesday.
Ali Ahmadov, deputy chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), which has a majority in the legislature, suggested holding a referendum on the issue. "The restriction on two presidential terms limits citizens` right of choice," he said.
Further, Ahmadov requested the parliament speaker to include the issue of conducting a nationwide poll on the matter in the agenda of one of the upcoming parliamentary sessions.
"I believe that these changes to the Constitution will be supported by the parliamentary majority…The people want to elect President Ilham Aliyev again. This is the demand of our society," the NAP deputy chairman said.
Many other lawmakers supported the measure, saying that keeping the mentioned constitutional provision in force would deprive citizens of free choice.
Sabir Rustamkhanly, chairman of the opposition Civil Solidarity Party, called on his counterparts not to rush in on adopting the constitutional changes. He reminded that a presidential election has recently been held in Azerbaijan and that President Aliyev was re-elected for a second five-year term. Therefore, there is no need to incur additional expenses and conduct a referendum any time soon.
"If the need arises, however, such a referendum may be held in 2010, along with the parliamentary elections," he added.
Arzu Samadbayli, who represents the opposition Musavat Party, came out against the proposal on extending the president`s term in office. The MP claimed that this proposal mostly aims to divert public attention from other problems facing the country.
"The fact that some groups within the authorities see a threat to their future largely contributes to floating this proposal," Samadbayli maintained.
Wrapping up the discussions, Speaker Ogtay Asadov recommended that the proposal be reviewed in standing parliamentary commissions.
Thus, the Azerbaijani parliament has, essentially, verbally agreed to amend the Constitution to lift the restriction on two presidential terms. A formal decision to that end is expected at the forthcoming sessions of the Milli Majlis.
The sixth presidential election was held in Azerbaijan on October 15 and Ilham Aliyev was overwhelmingly re-elected for a second five-year term by gathering 88.73% of the votes. Under the current Constitution, no one can serve as the president of Azerbaijan for more than two terms, but pro-government MPs have recently proposed to alter the provision.
Ali Ahmadov, deputy chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), which has a majority in the legislature, suggested holding a referendum on the issue. "The restriction on two presidential terms limits citizens` right of choice," he said.
Further, Ahmadov requested the parliament speaker to include the issue of conducting a nationwide poll on the matter in the agenda of one of the upcoming parliamentary sessions.
"I believe that these changes to the Constitution will be supported by the parliamentary majority…The people want to elect President Ilham Aliyev again. This is the demand of our society," the NAP deputy chairman said.
Many other lawmakers supported the measure, saying that keeping the mentioned constitutional provision in force would deprive citizens of free choice.
Sabir Rustamkhanly, chairman of the opposition Civil Solidarity Party, called on his counterparts not to rush in on adopting the constitutional changes. He reminded that a presidential election has recently been held in Azerbaijan and that President Aliyev was re-elected for a second five-year term. Therefore, there is no need to incur additional expenses and conduct a referendum any time soon.
"If the need arises, however, such a referendum may be held in 2010, along with the parliamentary elections," he added.
Arzu Samadbayli, who represents the opposition Musavat Party, came out against the proposal on extending the president`s term in office. The MP claimed that this proposal mostly aims to divert public attention from other problems facing the country.
"The fact that some groups within the authorities see a threat to their future largely contributes to floating this proposal," Samadbayli maintained.
Wrapping up the discussions, Speaker Ogtay Asadov recommended that the proposal be reviewed in standing parliamentary commissions.
Thus, the Azerbaijani parliament has, essentially, verbally agreed to amend the Constitution to lift the restriction on two presidential terms. A formal decision to that end is expected at the forthcoming sessions of the Milli Majlis.
The sixth presidential election was held in Azerbaijan on October 15 and Ilham Aliyev was overwhelmingly re-elected for a second five-year term by gathering 88.73% of the votes. Under the current Constitution, no one can serve as the president of Azerbaijan for more than two terms, but pro-government MPs have recently proposed to alter the provision.
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