Government and Politics of Azerbaijan

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika); Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu

Legal System

based on civil law system

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003; re-elected 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Ali ASADOV (since 8 October 2019); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since 4 April 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) elections: president elected by popular vote to a seven-year term (term length extended from five to seven years following a 2009 constitutional referendum); election last held on 7 February 2024 (next to be held in 2031); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Ilham ALIYEV re-elected president in February 2024 with approximately 92.1% of the vote, defeating several other candidates; the election was held early following a presidential decree calling a snap vote

Legislative Branch

Unicameral National Assembly or Milli Majlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Elections: last held on 9 February 2020 (next to be held in 2025) Election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) 70, independents 43, other parties and blocs 12

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

Political Parties

Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of “Reform” faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of “Classic” faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz AHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party for Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Motherland Party [leader NA]; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [vacant]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties

Head of State

President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003

Head of Government

Prime Minister Ali ASADOV

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly

Elections

last held on 9 February 2020 (next to be held in 2025)

Election Results

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) 70, independents 43, other parties and blocs 12

Constitution

adopted 12 November 1995

Independence

30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National Holiday

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918)

International Organization Participation

AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz PASHAYEV chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Reno L. HARNISH III embassy: 83 Azadlyg Prospecti, Baku AZ1007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [994] (12) 4980-335 through 337 FAX: [994] (12) 4983-755

Capital City

Baku (Baki, Baky)

Location

40 23 N, 49 52 E

Time Difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

the name derives from the Persian designation of the city "bad-kube" meaning "wind-pounded city" and refers to the harsh winds and severe snow storms that can hit the city note: at approximately 28 m below sea level, Baku's elevation makes it the lowest capital city in the world

U.S. Embassy Baku is located at 111 Azadlig Prospekt Tel. (994-12) 498-03-35, 36, or 37 Emergency after-hours telephone: (994-12) 498-03-35, 36, or 37 Facsimile: (994-12) 465-66-71 Email: Consular Baku Website: US Embassy Baku, Azerbaijan

Military Branches

Army, Navy, Air, and Air Defense Forces

Service Age and Obligation

Men between 18 and 35 are liable for military service; length of service is 18 months and 12 months for university graduates; 17 years of age for voluntary service; 17-year-olds are considered to be on active service at cadet military schools