President of Azerbaijan


The president of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the head of state of Azerbaijan.
The Constitution states that the president will be the embodiment of executive power, commander-in-chief, "representative of Azerbaijan in home and foreign policies", and that he "shall have the right of immunity ." The president rules through his executive office, the Presidential Administration, consisting of a group of secretaries and departmental ministers. Additionally, there is a Cabinet of Ministers regarding economic and social policy and a Security Council regarding foreign, military, and judicial matters.
Chief military advisors to the president of Azerbaijan have included Turkish Air Force Brig. Gen. Yasar Demirbulak, Maj. Gen. Nuraddin Sadykhov, Col. Gen. Tofig Aghahuseynov and National Security Lt. Gen. Vahid Aliyev.
Among the agencies directly subordinate to the president is the Special State Protection Service.
According to the Constitution of Azerbaijan, the same person can be on the post of President an unlimited number of terms.

Selection process

Eligibility

Candidates for the position must be Azerbaijani citizens without age restrictions and have lived in Azerbaijan for at least 10 years.

Election

Each faction in the National Assembly has the right to nominate a candidate for the presidential elections. The minimum number of signatures for a presidential candidate fielded by a political party with no parliamentary representation is 40,000, before amendments to the law.

Term of office

Prior to 2009, the term of office was five years, with a maximum of two terms. A referendum in 2009 removed the limit on the number of terms, and in 2016, another referendum increased the term to seven years. According to the Azerbaijani administration, a longer term would provide for more continuity in decision-making. The Venice Commission, of which Azerbaijan is a member, warned that this and other provisions of the referendum gave "unprecedented" authority to the president, and could severely upset the balance of power.

Insignia

After the oath of office has been taken by the elected president, these following insignia are handed over to the president. These devices are used to display the rank of his office and are used on special occasions.

Standard (flag)

The standard is a square version of the Azerbaijani flag, charged in the center with the Azerbaijani coat of arms. Golden fringe is added to the standard. Copies of the standard are used inside his office, other state agencies, and while the president is traveling in a vehicle inside Azerbaijan. A 2:3 ratio version of the flag is used when the President is at sea. This is the most used symbol to denote the presence of the Azerbaijan president.

Powers and duties

Guarantor of the Constitution

As the guarantor of the Constitution and the entire system of constitutional law, the president ensures that the constitutions, laws and regulations of the constituent territories of the Azerbaijan be in full compliance with the country's Constitution and federal laws.

Foreign policy

The president is invested with extensive rights to implement the state's foreign policy. The president determines Azerbaijan's position in international affairs and represents the state in international relations, conducts negotiations and signs ratification documents.

Residences

The primary working president's residence is the presidential building on Istiglaliyyat Street in Baku.
The current home president's residence is Zagulba.
Also, the president has several vacation residences outside of Baku.
National transport services for the Azerbaijan president are provided by the Special Purpose Garage, which is a unit within the Special State Protection Service.
The presidential aircraft uses the same colour scheme as standard AZAL aircraft, except for the use of the Azerbaijan coat of arms or the Presidential Standard on the empennage instead of the flag of Azerbaijan.

Presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan (1991–present)

Last election