Azerbaijan's ruling New Azerbaijan Party officially proposed on December 12 the oil-rich South Caucasus country's incumbent leader, Ilham Aliyev, as its candidate in the snap presidential election to be held on February 7. The announcement came five days after Aliyev signed a decree announcing the early presidential poll. Aliyev has been president of the tightly controlled former Soviet republic since 2003, when he succeeded his father, Heydar Aliyev, and has stayed in power ever since through a series of elections marred by irregularities and accusations of fraud. Under his authoritarian rule, political activity and human rights have been stifled.
Azerbaijan's Ruling Party Nominates President Aliyev For Snap Election
Ilham Aliyev has ruled the oil-rich Caspian state since taking over from his father in 2003.