President of Azerbaijan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President ofthe Republic of Azerbaijan |
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![]() Standard of the president
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Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Executive branch of the Government of Azerbaijan |
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Residence | Zuğulba Residence in Baku (primary) |
Term length | Seven years,
unlimited number of terms
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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.
Contents
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 |
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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
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 |
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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
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Flag of the president of Azerbaijan on board a State Border Service ship
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
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:
- Novkhani in Novkhani, Absheron Rayon
- Khoshbulaq in Daşkəsən, Dashkasan District
- Göy Saray in Baku
- Vahdat Presidential Summer Palace in Shamakhi
- "Ulduz" Guest House
- "Youth" Guest House
Travel and Safety

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:
- Boeing 767-300ER 4K-AI01 "Baku-1" (main plane)
- Airbus A319-100 4K-AI02 "Baku-2"
- Gulfstream G550 4K-AI06
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 | |||
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Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
1 | ![]() |
Ayaz Mutallibov Azerbaijani: Ayaz Mütəllibov (1938–2022) |
18 May 1990 | 6 March 1992 | 1 year, 293 days | Communist |
1. Mütəllibov II | 1990 1991 |
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First Nagorno-Karabakh War began; Khojaly Massacre occurred. Resigned under pressure. | |||||||||
– | ![]() |
Yagub Mammadov (acting) Azerbaijani: Yaqub Məmmədov (born 1941) |
6 March 1992 | 14 May 1992 | 69 days | None | — | — | |
Served as acting president briefly. | |||||||||
(1) | ![]() |
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 (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 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 |
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Founded the New Azerbaijan Party; major oil pipelines built. | |||||||||
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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 |
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Azerbaijan joined UN Security Council; hosted Eurovision Song Contest and European Games; involved in Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts. |
Timeline

Latest Election
2024 Azerbaijani presidential election
See Also
In Spanish: Presidente de Azerbaiyán para niños