Azerbaijani oppositionists and experts treat amendments to Constitution as reactionary

In Azerbaijan, members of the opposition and activists of the civil society treat the amendments to the country's Constitution proposed by the President as reactionary and aimed at strengthening authoritarianism in the country.

Let us remind you that on July 18, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev signed an order to send to the Constitutional Court a draft of the Act on referendum on amendments to the Constitution of Azerbaijan. The Constitutional Court is to issue an opinion on the draft.

According to Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), the main purpose of the amendments is to strengthen presidential power and to attempt to "ensure eternity of the current regime."

"All that is started with the aim to increase the Ilham Aliev's presidency term from five to seven years and to give him a chance to create the post of the First Vice-President to repose power in his hands when necessary," Ali Kerimli told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to him, the PFPA will use peaceful legal means to oppose the referendum.

Arif Gadjily, the leader of the "Musavat" Party, also treats the draft of the Act on referendum as attempts to "tighten the regime."

"It is clear that the main purpose of the constitutional changes is to expand the presidential power and at the same time to reduce the influence of the Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers. After the tightening of the regime in Turkey, it was expected that the same will take place in Azerbaijan," Arif Gadjily told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.