President of Azerbaijan

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Azərbaycan Prezidenti
Standard of the president
Incumbent Ilham Aliyev since 31 October 2003
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 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.

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 and eventually died several months later.

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

Main article: Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan

The Office of the President of Azerbaijan is the executive administration of 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

A meeting of the 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

Main article: Flag of the president of Azerbaijan

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

Badge of the President.

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

Cars which belonged to Heydar Aliyev in Heydar Aliyev Center (GAZ-13, ZIL-41047, 1991 W140-600, 1994 W140-limo)

Main article: Special State Protection Service of Azerbaijan

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
  • Maybach 62
  • Mercedes-Benz W221
• Honorary escort (motorcycles)
  • BMW
• 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)

For leaders before independence, see List of heads of state of Azerbaijan.

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.
–		Isa Gambar (acting) Azerbaijani: İsa Qəmbər (born 1957)	18 May 1992	17 June 1992	30 days	Musavat	—	—	[25]
			Took 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.
–		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	20 years, 193 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

Main article: 2024 Azerbaijani presidential 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			6,478,840	76.68
Source: Turan Infocenter, CC

See also

• Azerbaijan portal
• Politics portal

• Vice President of Azerbaijan
• Prime Minister of Azerbaijan

References

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6. Baku Information Archived 2011-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
7. "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.
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12. "В Милли Меджлис состоялась инаугурация Президента Азербайджанской Республики" (in Russian). Retrieved 14 April 2018.
13. OSCE Office in Baku
14. "ПРЕЗИДЕНТСКИЙ АППАРАТ АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ". Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
15. "Azərbaycan Respublikası Təhlükəsizlik Şurası".
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17. "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.
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19. "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.
20. "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.
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22. Republic of Azerbaijan - Special State Protection Service Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
23. 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)
24. "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.
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28. "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)