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Azerbaijan's Parliamentary Elections: Lack of Competition and Restricted Fundamental Freedoms Draw International Criticism
On 1 September 2024, early parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan, which were sharply criticized by international observers from the OSCE. Despite efficient organization, the election was marked by a lack of political competition and an increasingly repressive political climate, which raised doubts about the democratic legitimacy of the entire process.
Ilham Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan since 2003, is seen as an autocratic leader who concentrates power within his family and faces international criticism for restricting political freedoms, violating human rights, and rigging elections. / Picture: © Wikipedia / Presidential Press and Information Office / Kremlin.ru (CC BY 4.0; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)
According to a report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), there were no real political alternatives for voters in the elections. The legal and regulatory framework under which the election took place severely restricted fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and freedom of the press. The election was dominated by the ruling New…
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