Referendum expected to have positive effect on state management

Azerbaijan is currently engaged in preparations for the upcoming constitutional referendum, which is scheduled for September 26, 2016.

In a bill sent to the Constitutional Court, President Ilham Aliyev proposed amendments to 29 Articles of Azerbaijan’s current constitution.

The Constitutional Court concluded that the changes proposed by President Aliyev are in line with the requirements of the Constitution of Azerbaijan and may be put up for a nationwide vote. The amendments envisage extension of the presidential term from five to seven years, establishment of the first vice-president and vice-president positions in the country as well as abolishment of minimum age limit for presidential candidates, dissolution of parliament by the president.

Head of the department at the Public Administration Academy under the President, Fakhreddin Nagiyev, commenting on the changes proposed to the Constitution, told Trend that the establishment of the institution of vice presidency will make the system of the state management close to the population, as well as become the strengthening point of the presidential control over administrative and management arrangements.

He reminded that the proposed changes do not contain any information on a definite number of vicepresidents. Nevertheless, the changes stipulate the establishment of positions of the first vice president and vice presidents. Nagiyev said that the institution of vice presidency is a widely used phenomenon in world practice, while vice-presidents conduct their activities in different spheres.

“It is possible that institutions of vice-presidency on regions or different spheres of the state management, economy will be created in Azerbaijan,” he said.

Nagiyev further added that the extension of the presidential term from five to seven years, which is also among the proposed changes, is a totally normal phenomenon used in many countries.

“If we draw attention to the experience of other countries, we will see that presidential term has been repeatedly changed and there were different reasons for that. For instance, several years ago president in France was elected for seven years, but then the term was shortened to five years. The reason for that was the fact that the period of two or three years was between the presidential and parliamentary elections. Confrontation in the country might be triggered if rightist or leftwing forces won presidential elections, and opposite forces won parliamentary elections three years later. Solution for the confrontation in this case is either resignation of the President or dissolution of parliament. Therefore, the country decided to shorten presidential term. There is no such a problem in Azerbaijan. The extension of presidential term, in my opinion is related to the approval of the state program. The state program is optimized for 10 or even 15 years, therefore changes in the presidency may trigger certain problems,’’ he said.

Nagiyev underlined that introduction of changes to the Constitution is a right of each nation.

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.

Nagiyev said that holding of referendum each seven years is a result of dynamic development of the country.

“Main aim of the Constitution is regulation of social relations. The relations are developing and changing steadily and eventually reach such a level of development, that requires holding of referendums in the system of state management, judicial system or the sphere of international relations,” he said.

Final results of the Referendum will be announced till October 21.