Azerbaijan, Baku, August 24 / Trend A. Huseynbala /
The Union for Democracy, in which a group of Azerbaijani opposition parties is represented, has started determining a list of candidates for nomination in parliamentary elections.
"During joint discussions the names of candidates for nomination in the parliamentary elections in 19 election districts were determined by the heads of parties represented in the union," Chairman of Great Azerbaijan Party, represented in the Union for Democracy, Elshad Musayev, told Trend on August 24.
Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled for autumn 2010
Musayev said that several parties represented in the Union consider it reasonable to start preparations for parliamentary elections now. Parliamentary elections will be held in 2010. "We have already launched preparations for municipal elections to be held in 2009. But several parties think that there it is not necessary to participate in the municipal elections with numerous candidates. Therefore, we think it reasonable to launch preparations for the parliamentary elections," the Chairman of the Party said.
Municipal elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled for December 2009 and parliamentary elections for autumn 2010. Municipal elections have been held twice, in 1999 and 2004.
The Azerbaijani Parliament adopted the 'Unification of several municipalities' law in May.
The number of municipalities in Azerbaijan was reduced from 2,757 to 1,766.
Musayev said that the Union for Democracy is likely to support non-party candidates at municipal elections.
"There are many famous non-party figures in Azerbaijan. If the necessity arises, we can support them as candidates," he said.
The Union for Democracy was established by opposition parties the Classic People's Front, Azadliq and the National Democracy after parliamentary elections in 2005. The Great Azerbaijani Party and the National Party joined the Union in September and November 2008 respectively. The union is an agency of cooperation and consultation.
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