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Gudrat Hasanguliyev: New stage would start in Azerbaijan, if our proposals on amending the Constitution are accepted

11 September 2007 16:52 (UTC +04:00)

- United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party has offered amending Azerbaijani Constitution. What is the essence of your proposal?
- Economic and political basis of Azerbaijan have already strengthened. It is possible to make the state more democratic by carrying out political reforms, extend economic basis and establish a civil society. The Nagorno Karabakh problem, problems connected with civil rights, political and economic rights and freedom of speech can be removed. In order to solve these problems there must be public and parliamentary control over the government along with state control. The present parliament can only discuss the outcomes of the governmentâ€™s activity. Multi-party system should improve in order to ensure the countryâ€™s democratization. The role of political parties is ceremonial, they do not influence any process. It is not only oppositional parties, but pro-governmental parties as well. We consider that the party that is supported by the majority of the people has to be involved in forming the government. Our proposals do not restrict the presidentâ€™s authorities, but only increase the role of political parties in establishing the government. At the same time an extra parliamentary control is established over the government, government is formed of parliamentarians. In fact, it will pave the way for forming civil unity, elimination of corruption and establishment of judicial branch. Political parties will have broader chances to participate in the formation of the government, no one will think about revolutions, revolts, as chances of coming to power will be simplified.
- In other words, you want to apply Turkish model in Azerbaijan.
- No, I donâ€™t. Presidentâ€™s authorities are limited there. We do not mean to limit presidentâ€™s authorities. The party winning the parliamentary elections has to coordinate the composition of the government with president. But extra parliamentary control is set up over the government. We have studied the constitutions of a number of European countries, to prepare this model and local situation and mentality was taken into consideration.
If these proposals are adopted, it will mean a new stage in Azerbaijan.
- How is the reaction of other political parties to your proposals?
- All politicians supported this proposal except Asim Mollazada and Aydin Mirzazada. We knew it. Because Presidentâ€™s authorities remain in these proposals, but the authority of forming government is given to party which wins parliamentary elections. If that party can not establish a government till the fixed date, this authority should be given to Party who rate 2nd.
- Donâ€™t you think that partiesâ€™ not having political power is related to annul of proportional representation?
- The main reason is this. We supported restoration of proportional system in the amendments we proposed. We underlined formation of the part of parliament proportionally, the other part on majority system, inevitability of use of proportional system in 2015. We proposed to increase number of parliamentarians to 150. Because proportional system will increase activity of political parties, their influence. People, who are interested in political processes, have diplomatic ability, control themselves, should be gathered in Parliament. But people who have not any connection with policy can also be elected to parliament in majority system through some funds. But to my regret, there are a lot of such persons in Parliament. There are people in the parliament who do not know anything about the debated issues. I do not rule out such cases in proportional system. Because, some parties might be included into the list of certain businessmen who have nothing to do with political processes and have opportunity to have seats through financing. But I think the rate can not be compared with the present one. On the other hand, proportional system would eliminate certain ethnic and separatist statements. Because, a parliamentary candidate would know that he requires vote from entire Azerbaijan not only votes of one region.
- What will you propose for autumn session of Parliament?
- I and Fazil Gazanfaroglu have already presented to Parliament our proposals on the amendments to Electoral Code. Party also prepared referendum project and we presented it to Parliament leadership. One of the issues to be debated is draft on education. State budget of 2008 will also be debated in autumn session. We will sound our proposals regarding this.
- You are one of the politicians who approve the release of imprisoned journalists. But you have sued Khural newspaper recentlyâ€¦
- Yes I approve the release of journalists. They have already been kept in detention for some time, at the same time it is very important to protect Azerbaijanâ€™s international image. Avaz Zeynalli insulted me systematically that is why I sued that newspaper. He criticized my activity not once and I accepted it very normal. But he has been insulting me recently in his newspaper in defiance of my notifications. Physical force might be put forth against such humiliations. But I am a politician, a lawyer and do not use such means. I have to protect my rights by means of court. And I have not claimed to impose fine on him, just wanted him to be punished for what he has done.
- At what stage is the process?
- Preliminary Court hearing took place today. The judge corrected the petition and gave it back saying that the petition does not show the name of defendantâ€™s father. Actually Avaz Zeynalli submitted identification card. And court wanted to find thee author of the article. The deal is that A.Zeynalli underlined that the article belongs to him. Anyways we corrected the judgeâ€™s remark over the absence of the name of defendantâ€™s father in the petition. But what he says is just funny. We did not exaggerate this issue taking into consideration the judge is inexperienced./APA/