Azerbaijan, Baku, 3 November / Trend corr. A.Huseynbala / The opposition unions split when contesting for leadership, believes the leader of the Azerbaijani opposition National Unity Movement. "I have always opposed contesting for leadership in a place where unity persists. Therefore, I did not agree to be nominated as a single presidential candidate from opposition," Lala Shovkat, leader of the Movement, told Trend on 3 November.
The Opposition Cooperation Centre includes Azadlig bloc (the Popular Front Party, the Liberal Party and the Citizen and Development), the Musavat Party and the Public Forum For Azerbaijan. At early September, they signed a joint statement recognizing the presidential elections of 15 October as illegitimate. Government to be formed after the presidential elections was announced illegitimate in the statement.
After the elections negotiations began to enlarge the opposition into a larger coalition, but it has not yet been formed because of mutual accusations. Other opposition leaders did not accept Shovkat's nomination as a single opposition presidential candidate.
Discussions are being held to make the cooperation of the Azerbaijani opposition long-term, Shovkat said.
"We have established the Opposition Cooperation Centre only on the basis of united attitude towards the presidential elections. Currently, negotiations are being held to establish a union for larger and more long-term cooperation of the opposition," she said.
As to the leader of Musavat Party Isa Gambar's discontent about nominating the Azerbaijan Liberal Party's chairman as the only presidential candidate of the opposition, Shovkat said that is absolutely groundless reports.
Azadlig bloc, including Shovkat's party, will continue functioning as well, she said.
"Azadlig bloc has own tactics and strategy. This is a more sustainable bloc," Shovkat said.
Shovkat established the Azerbaijan opposition Liberal Party in 1995. At present, Shovkat is the co-founder and co-chairman of the opposition Azadlig bloc, as well as the leader of the National Unity Movement.
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