Opposition in Azerbaijan Renews Political Attacks Against President

Opposition activists in Azerbaijan are intensifying political attacks on President Ilham Aliyev, saying his first 100 days in power have been marked by a significant rise in government repression and corruption. One Aliyev critic described the government as presiding over a "stagnation period."

Aliyev marked his 100th day in power on February 7. Over that span, the government has cracked down on opposition political activity and muzzled the media. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. The Aliyev administration's behavior since the October 15 presidential election has drawn sharp criticism from global organizations, especially New York-based Human Rights Watch, and international governmental bodies, including the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly. [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive].

The government crackdown sowed disarray among opposition parties. Of late, though, there have been signs that administration opponents are starting to regroup. Despite the ongoing threat of arrest and harassment, Aliyev critics sounded off in early February. Many derided the president's promise to maintain stability and continue the policies of his predecessor and father, Heidar Aliyev, who died last December. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

"The main result of the 100 days of Aliyev's president is the maintenance of stability in the country," Zardust Alizada, the former leader of the Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, told the Ekho newspaper on February 7. "But this stability is the stability of the stagnation period."

"Heidar Aliyev did not manage to resolve Azerbaijan's vital problems – human rights, Karabakh, economic growth, unemployment and the fight against corruption," Alizada continued. "Nor has Ilham Aliyev been able to do this."

Azerbaijan's existing sense of stability may prove fleeting because it is based on growing government repression rather than on steady economic growth, opposition leaders alleged. Ali Kerimli, leader of the Popular Front party, said the bulk of Azerbaijan's population could not expect to experience a significant improvement in living standards anytime soon.

"Neither the President, nor the Cabinet of Ministers have taken [substantive] measures to improve the people's condition," Kerimli said. He said that while the government has announced initiatives to promote economic growth, they lacked implementation mechanisms.

Alizada asserted that corruption has skyrocketed in recent months, as officials on all levels have sought to reap financial rewards for helping to secure Aliyev's election. Alizada told Ekho that he is in constant touch with members of Azerbaijan's business community, and "they all say that since Ilham Aliyev came to power, officials have increased extortion, doing it with more impunity."

Government officials have sought to discredit international criticism of their human rights practices, characterizing it as the product of bias. In a similar manner, they dismiss opposition criticism of the Administration's performance. Aydin Mirzazadeh, a leader of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, offered a vigorous defense of Aliyev's governing ability, saying the new president had "absolutely justified trust of the people."

"Ilham Aliyev has proven himself a leader who is able to rule the state, and who has a clear program for the development of the society," Mirzazadeh said.

Political scientist Rasim Musabayev said that fact that Ilham Aliyev has accomplished little in the economic sphere during his first 100 days should not come as a surprise to Azerbaijanis. "Aliyev ran for election under the slogan of continuing his father's policies, and did not promise anything special," Musabayev told the Ekho newspaper.