Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend I.Alizade / Member of the opposition deputies' group, former Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Panah Huseyn, said that opposition parties should participate in the 2008 presidential elections.
There were different views from the opposition parties with regards to the participation of the forthcoming presidential elections. Azerbaijan's leading opposition political unity Azadlyg Bloc, which brings together Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Citizen and Development Party and National Unity Movement, considers that participation in the elections is unacceptable if no amendments are made to the legislation and the election commissions are not formed on an equal basis. The position of the bloc is also supported by the leader of the opposition Azerbaijan Open Society Party, former Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament, Rasul Guliyev, who lives as an emigrant in the USA. On the other hand, the Musavat Party, Azerbaijan National Independence Party and other parties believe that it is necessary to participate in Presidential elections.
Huseyn said that political forces who suggest boycotting the presidential elections have serious grounds for arguments. According to him, the supporters and opponents participating in the forthcoming presidential elections should hold discussions to define the general political position on this issue.
According to Panahov, theoretically it is possible to implement the suggestion of boycotting the elections. However, in this case, it is necessary for the parties to attend the elections which require preparation time. Co-chair of Azadlyg Bloc, Chairman of Citizen and Development Party, Ali Aliyev, who has suggested boycotting the elections, said that they are prepared to have talks with the supporters who will be participating in the elections. The Head of the Executive Apparat of Musavat Party, Arif Hajili, said that they are planning to participate in the Presidential elections. "We are prepared for all discussions to define the general position of the opposition on this issue," he said.
The next Presidential election in Azerbaijan will take place on 15 October 2008.