BAKU -- Azerbaijan's National Assembly, dominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), has approved a proposal to dissolve parliament and ask President Ilham Aliyev, the leader of the party, to call snap general polls.
As expected, the legislature voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal aimed to support Aliyev's policy on reforms and personnel changes, with 99 deputies in favor, one against, and one abstention.
Officials have said an early vote would help modernize Azerbaijan's legislative branch and speed the course of economic reforms.
The Azerbaijani president has the right to dissolve parliament and call early elections. The vote needs to take place within three months after the dissolution.
The YAP party claimed a landslide victory in the 2015 elections that were boycotted by all of Azerbaijan's established opposition parties.
Aliyev has ruled the energy-rich South Caucasus country of nearly 10 million people since shortly before his father's death in 2003.
Despite its vast energy resources, the country has seen difficult economic conditions in recent years. Citizens have been hard hit by rising inflation, unemployment, and the cost of staple goods.
Amid economic difficulties, Aliyev in October appointed former presidential aide Ali Asadov as the new prime minister.
Azerbaijan's Parliament Approves Proposal To Dissolve, Setting Path For Snap Polls
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Putin Sends Signals To The West On Ukraine Ahead Of Trump's New Term
2Russia Moving Military Assets To Africa After Syria Setback
3Ukraine Hits Kazan Buildings In Latest Display Of Drone Power
4What Would The Russian Capture Of Pokrovsk Mean For The Ukraine War?
5Mystery Photos Shed Light On Romania's 1989 Revolution
6Orban Says Higher NATO Defense Targets Would Cripple The Hungarian Economy
7U.S., U.K. Say Medvedev's Comment Calling NATO Officials 'Legitimate Targets' Irresponsible
8Kyiv Hits Kursk After Massive Wave Of Deadly Russian Strikes On Ukraine
9Putin, In Annual Televised Show Of Control, Says Russia Nearing 'Primary Goal' In Ukraine War
10Russia's Runaway Food Prices
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
