Azerbaijan, Baku, July 8 / Trend T. Hajiyev /
Azerbaijani opposition does not want to hold rallies in authorized sites due to lack of the social base, deputy executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, MP Siyavush Novruzov told Trend.
"The participants of the rallies are employees of newspapers, defending the opposition parties, representatives of several non-governmental organizations funded by various foreign organizations and functionaries of the same parties," Novruzov said.
Several Azerbaijani opposition parties made attempts of unsanctioned protest in the central squares of Baku.
Executive Power of Baku called the stadium in Sahil settlement of Garadagh district, the stadium in front of the trust "Azneftgeofizik" in Sabunchi district, the stadium named after Tofig Ismayilov in Surakhani district, the stadium of 3155 block in Yasamal district, settlement Turkan in Azizbayov district, the territory in front of the cinema "Tabriz" in Nizami district and in front of the metro station "Ulduz" in Narimanov district as sites to conduct public meetings.
Novruzov said that at the last rally the opposition tried but could attract enough people to the rally.
"They attract activists and members of city and district organizations of the republic to hold any rally in Baku. About 30-40 people participated in last rallies. They were chairmen of organizations, who came from the villages, their deputies or party activists. They have no social base. They do not hold rallies in authorized sites because if they hold rallies there, they will disgrace themselves, and everyone will see that they have no social support ", MP said.
Novruzov touched on the failed meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the opposition.
"U.S. Secretary of State during the visit met with opposition parties of all countries except Azerbaijan. They know that Azerbaijan does not have a sufficiently strong opposition party, Novruzov said.
Clinton paid an official visit to Azerbaijan June 4.