By Vugar Ahmadov

Last parliamentary elections resulted with the shames for the opposition of Azerbaijan

November 01, 2015 was the next parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. While looking back the domestic political process it is possible to understand how the new parliament of Azerbaijan is an important step in the way of democratization.

Today looking at the composition of new elected parliament, we already see the results of this politically colored picture where people far from business elite, but with various political backgrounds and leaders of independent political parties are there. This is the real will and support of the state of Azerbaijan in the way of democratization and political pluralism of the country. Along with the political parties represented in the Parliament, those inspiring new, we can see also a new promising parties in the Parliament. For example, oppositional Citizens Solidarity Party and Social Democratic Party. Along with the party in power, New Azerbaijan Party, more than 10 political parties got a chances to be represented at the new parliament, also a number of neutral, independent and new young leaders from Baku and rural areas has been elected in the parliamentary election.

Among them, we can see oppositional parties such as, United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Great Creation Party, Democratic Reforms Party as well as other parties such as National Revival Movement Party, Social Welfare Party and newly represented Democratic Enlightenment Party will have seats at the Parliament.

As in every election, a radical part of opposition of Azerbaijan in the last moment can’t find will to join the election process. They understand that with lack of support from population, with weak social base they can’t win the election. Those who is boycotting today the results of the parliamentary election know very well about their chances. Radical opposition leaders used to see everything black in Azerbaijan and always prefer to stay outside of the political process. National Council and Popular Front party did not go to election at all, as they were sure that there is a lack of support from the ground.

Last parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan once more demonstrated the real electorate of one part of opposition that joined the election. From the leading opposition party “Musavat” in 74 district polls only 24 of its members could get signature from local population to go to election. Leader of this party Isa Gambar got only 599 votes from voters. The other candidates of opposition party “Musavat” got the minimum scores at those 74 polls as the result of election. These are the results of the radical opposition parties. If we look at pre-election campaign of these parties, we can see that they managed to bring to their political demonstrations only 200-300 people. It again shows that none of the Azerbaijani citizen believes to the potential of the opposition leaders. Every election in Azerbaijan is an indicator of how radical opposition in Azerbaijan lose trust among the population, as nobody believes to their future. The more the deprive themselves and boycott the elections, the soon their end comes in.

Vugar Ahmadov is an independent political analyst

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