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President of
the Republic of Azerbaijan
Flag of the President of Azerbaijan.svg
Standard of the president
Ilham Aliyev 2022 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Ilham Aliyev

since 31 October 2003
Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan
Executive branch of the Government of Azerbaijan
Residence Zuğulba Residence in Baku (primary)
Term length Seven years,
unlimited number of terms
Formation 18 May 1990
First holder Ayaz Mutallibov
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan (1991–2002)
Prime Minister of Azerbaijan (2002–2017)
Vice President of Azerbaijan (2017–present)
Salary 180,000 AZN annually
Website The President of Azerbaijan


The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the head of state for Azerbaijan. This person leads the country. The Constitution says the president is in charge of the government's executive power. They are also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president represents Azerbaijan both at home and with other countries. They are also protected from being prosecuted while in office.

The president works from the main presidential building in Baku. Ilham Aliyev became the 4th president on October 31, 2003. He took over after his father, Heydar Aliyev, stepped down due to health reasons.

How a President is Chosen and How Long They Serve

Who Can Be President?

To become president, a person must be a citizen of Azerbaijan. They also need to have lived in Azerbaijan for at least 10 years. There is no age limit to become president. The Constitution allows a person to be president for an unlimited number of terms.

How Elections Work

Political groups in the National Assembly can suggest candidates for president. If a political party is not in parliament, their candidate needs to collect 40,000 signatures.

How Long is a Term?

Before 2009, a president served for five years. They could only serve two terms. In 2009, a public vote removed the limit on how many terms a president could serve. Then, in 2016, another public vote changed the term length to seven years. The government said a longer term helps with making decisions over time.

Starting the Job (Inauguration)

The president's official ceremony is not open to everyone. It includes state officials, political leaders, military members, and religious figures. Government members, lawmakers, and the president's family also attend. Foreign guests are invited too.

The ceremony happens within three days after the Constitutional Court confirms the election. The president takes an oath, promising to follow the Constitution. They also promise to protect the country's independence and serve the people.

Then, the new president places their right hand on the Koran. They promise to respect Azerbaijan's national values and traditions. After that, the president bows and kisses the Azerbaijani flag. The ceremony ends with a speech from the new president.

Here are some past inauguration locations and dates:

Place Date
National Assembly Building 17 June 1992
Heydar Aliyev Palace 10 October 1993
18 October 1998
31 October 2003
24 October 2008
National Assembly Building 19 October 2013

What the President Does

Protecting the Constitution

The president makes sure that all laws and rules in Azerbaijan follow the country's main Constitution. They ensure that everything is in line with the nation's highest laws.

Working with Other Countries

The president has important duties in dealing with other nations. They decide Azerbaijan's stance on global issues. They represent the country in international talks. The president also signs important agreements with other countries.

Leading the Military

The president is the supreme commander-in-chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. This means they are the top leader of the military. They have the power to declare martial law if needed.

Groups That Help the President

Presidential Administration

The Office of the President helps the president do their job. It makes sure the president can carry out their duties from the Constitution. This office is located in Baku. It is currently led by Samir Nuriyev.

Security Council

Meeting of Security Council under chairmanship of Ilham Aliyev was held 10
A meeting of the security council.

The Security Council is a group that advises the president on safety matters. It was created on April 10, 1997. The president of Azerbaijan is the head of this council. The council helps the president use their powers related to national security.

Here are some members of the Security Council:

Position Holder
President/Chairman Ilham Aliyev
Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva
Secretary of Security Council Ramil Usubov
Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov
Chairman of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova
Head of the Presidential Administration Samir Nuriyev
Assistant to the President for Law Enforcement and Military Affairs Fuad Alasgarov
Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kamran Aliyev
Minister of Internal Affairs Vilayat Eyvazov
Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov
Head of the State Border Service Elchin Guliyev
Head of the State Security Service Ali Nağıyev
Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Orkhan Sultanov

Symbols of the President

The Presidential Standard

After the president takes their oath, they receive the standard. This special flag shows the president's high office. It is used for important events. The standard looks like a square version of the Azerbaijani flag. It has the Azerbaijani coat of arms in the middle. Golden fringe is added to the edges. Copies of this standard are used in the president's office and other government buildings. It is also used when the president travels in a vehicle within Azerbaijan. A different version of the flag is used when the president is at sea. This standard is the most common way to show that the president is present.

Military Flag

The flag for the supreme commander-in-chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces was approved on April 11, 2019. This flag is the official military symbol of the president. The original flag is kept in the president's service room at the Presidential Palace. It looks like the army flag but has the words "Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan" on it.

Presidential Badge

Azərbaycan Prezidentinin döş nişanı
Badge of the President.

The president's badge was approved on September 15, 2008. It is an eight-sided star made of 18-carat gold. In the center is a small image of the State Emblem of Azerbaijan. This emblem is surrounded by two rings with 60 diamonds between them.

Where the President Lives and Stays

The main presidential home since 2008 is Zagulba. The president also has several other homes outside of Baku. These include:

  • Youth Presidential Palace
  • Presidential Mountain Palace in Qabala
  • "Freedom" Guest House
  • Palace of Happiness
  • Gulustan Palace
  • Presidential Library
  • "Marxal" Treatment and Recreation Complex

There are also several vacation homes:

Travel and Safety

Cars belonged to Heydar Aliyev in Heydar Aliyev Center
Cars which belonged to Heydar Aliyev in Heydar Aliyev Center (GAZ-13, ZIL-41047, 1991 W140-600, 1994 W140-limo)

The Special Purpose Garage provides transportation for the president. This group is part of the Special State Protection Service.

  • Cars:
    • Maybach 62
    • Mercedes-Benz W221
  • Motorcycles:
    • BMW (for escorts)
  • Airplanes for long trips:

The president's airplanes look similar to regular AZAL planes. But they have the Azerbaijan coat of arms or the Presidential Standard on the tail instead of the usual flag.

Presidents of Azerbaijan (1990–Present)

No. President
(birth–death)
Term of office Political party Government Elected Ref
Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office
1 Ayaz Mutalibov 1992.jpg Ayaz Mutallibov
Azerbaijani: Ayaz Mütəllibov
(1938–2022)
18 May 1990 6 March 1992 1 year, 293 days Communist
1. Mütəllibov II 1990
1991
First Nagorno-Karabakh War began; Khojaly Massacre occurred. Resigned under pressure.
Emblem of Azerbaijan.svg Yagub Mammadov (acting)
Azerbaijani: Yaqub Məmmədov
(born 1941)
6 March 1992 14 May 1992 69 days None
Served as acting president briefly.
(1) Ayaz Mutalibov 1992.jpg Ayaz Mutallibov
Azerbaijani: Ayaz Mütəllibov
(1938–2022)
14 May 1992 18 May 1992 4 days None Mütəllibov II
Returned briefly, then removed from office.
Isa Gambar (cropped).jpg Isa Gambar (acting)
Azerbaijani: İsa Qəmbər
(born 1957)
18 May 1992 17 June 1992 30 days Musavat
Served as acting president until new elections.
2 Abulfaz Elchibey
Azerbaijani: Əbülfəz Elçibəy
(1938–2000)
17 June 1992 24 June 1993 1 year, 7 days Azerbaijani Popular Front Party 2. Elçibəy I 1992
Russian army left Azerbaijan; national currency introduced; Latin alphabet adopted.
Heydar Aliyev (crop).jpg Heydar Aliyev
Azerbaijani: Heydər Əliyev
(1923–2003)
24 June 1993 10 October 1993 108 days New Azerbaijan Party 3. H.Əliyev II
3 10 October 1993 31 October 2003 10 years, 21 days 1993
1998
Founded the New Azerbaijan Party; major oil pipelines built.
4 Ilham Aliyev
Azerbaijani: İlham Əliyev
(born 1961)
31 October 2003 Incumbent 21 years, 228 days New Azerbaijan Party 6. İ.Əliyev I 2003
2008
2013
2018
2024
Azerbaijan joined UN Security Council; hosted Eurovision Song Contest and European Games; involved in Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts.

Timeline

Ilham Aliyev Heydar Aliyev Abulfaz Elchibey Isa Gambar Yagub Mammandov Ayaz Mutallibov

Latest Election

2024 Azerbaijani presidential election

See Also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Presidente de Azerbaiyán para niños

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