Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. S.Ilhamgizi / Araz Alizade, the Co-Chairman of the Azerbaijan Social-Democratic Party (SDPA), stated that in spite of the existence of approximately 200 political parties, only 40 are registered and 8 or 9 may be considered as normal political organizations.
The New Azerbaijan Party is the largest party. The Azerbaijan United Party (UPA), the Azerbaijan Social Democratic Party (SDPA), the Musavat, the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (PFPA), the Azerbaijan Democratic Party (DPA), the Azerbaijan National Independence Party (ANIP), the Azerbaijan Liberal Party (ALP) and the Azerbaijan Citizens and Development Party (CDPA) are considered as political organizations. The Azerbaijan Civilian Solidarity Party and Adalat Party have the members but no structure.
According to Alizade, the parties which have only one chairman cannot be considered a political organization. The ASDP had 8,000 people before Ayaz Mutallibov joined the party as Co-Chairman. Subsequently, the number of party members increased to 26,000.
Although Alizade recognizes the social base and existence of these parties, he does not approve of their political course and activities. "If these parties come to power nothing will change." stressed Alizade.
The other Co-Chairman of the Party is Ayaz Mutallibov, the former first President of Azerbaijan. Mutallibov was elected the first President after proclaiming independence of the Azerbaijan Republic in 1991.
Since 1992 Mutallibov has been living in Moscow.