On September 23, the first meeting of the VII convocation of the Milli Majlis took place, with 84-year-old deputy Ziyad Samadzade presiding over the session.
After introducing the newly elected deputies, Sahiba Gafarova, nominated by the New Azerbaijan Party, was re-elected as Speaker—a position she has held since 2020. Former Speaker Ogtay Asadov did not seek re-election.
The number of deputy chairpersons has increased this time, with Ali Ahmadov elected as the First Deputy Chairman, alongside Ziyafat Askerov, Musa Gasimli, and Rafael Huseynov. The expansion of the deputy chair positions raises questions about the underlying motives for such changes.
During the session, President Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech loaded with warnings about foreign interference, allegedly motivated by Azerbaijan’s victory in the 2020 War. His claims about ongoing ideological provocations and the need for constant vigilance seemed designed to reinforce a narrative of external threats, potentially to justify an increased focus on military strength and border security.
Aliyev also mentioned concerns about potential revanche from Armenia and the military buildup along the borders, possibly to justify the consolidation of his government’s power further. He also emphasized the importance of the military and the closure of land borders as a safeguard against alleged external threats.
In discussing Azerbaijan’s stability and its appeal to foreign investors, Aliyev portrayed the country as an “oasis of peace”, despite criticisms from international observers. The recent parliamentary elections, held on September 1, were monitored by various international bodies, however, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) was not invited, continuing a pattern of excluding certain observers.
Opposition groups, including Musavat and Republican Alternative (REAL), participated, while the Azerbaijan People’s Front Party (APFP) boycotted the elections, citing severe restrictions on political freedoms. The OSCE observation mission later criticized the elections as failing to meet international standards, casting doubt on the democratic legitimacy of the process. Aliyev’s portrayal of the situation contrasts sharply with these assessments.
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