Ilham Aliyev Appoints His Wife as First Vice President of Azerbaijan

Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, has appointed his wife as the First Vice President of the country. According to the official website of the Azerbaijani presidency, Mr. Aliyev issued this order on Tuesday, March 3. Mehriban Aliyeva, the 52-year-old wife of the President of Azerbaijan, is currently the Deputy Chair of the ruling party 'New Azerbaijan', a member of parliament, the head of the non-governmental organization 'Heydar Aliyev' (the former president and father of Ilham Aliyev), and also a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO and ISESCO. According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, based on a referendum held last year in Azerbaijan, the position of First Vice President was created, which will assume the responsibilities of the president in the event of their death or incapacity to govern. The father of the current president held the presidency for 10 years, and after his death in 2003, his son Ilham Aliyev has been in power since then. Ilham Aliyev, 55, has been accused by human rights groups and Western governments of pressuring journalists, the opposition, and expanding his power through elections and referendums that they claim are not fair and free. The referendum in September last year introduced constitutional changes, creating new positions such as the First Vice President and two other vice presidents, which opposition groups and activists have labeled as tools to solidify Aliyev's grip on power in this oil-rich country. Ilham Aliyev has denied these allegations. Before last year's referendum, according to the law, the Prime Minister would assume power in the event of the president's death or incapacity. This referendum also extended the presidential term from five years to seven years. Other referendums were held in 2002 and 2009, which faced criticism from the opposition.