Azerbaijani court approves lengthening the presidential term
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 25 July 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Azerbaijani court approves lengthening the presidential term, 25 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a43cba23.html [accessed 27 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 25, 2016
Azerbaijan's highest court has approved an initiative by President Ilham Aliyev to extend the presidential term of office from five years to seven years.
The move on July 25 by Azerbaijan's Constitutional Court is a step towards ratifying the initiative.
But the court said in a statement that ratification will require constitutional amendments and a referendum.
Aliyev has been in power since 2003. His third term is due to end in 2018.
A referendum in 2009 scrapped the country's two-term presidential limit – enabling Aliyev to rule for life as long as he keeps getting reelected.
Critics say the initiative to extend the presidential term is an undemocratic and illegal attempt to perpetuate the 54-year-old Aliyev's rule.
International election monitoring groups have repeatedly said that national elections in Azerbaijan under Aliyev have been neither free nor fair.
Based on reporting by Reuters and apa.az
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
