For the people without the people?

On April 17th, the opposition again failed to hold an unauthorized protest in the centre of Baku. The point is not only in the fact that the police terminated the unsanctioned meeting, but in the ridiculous activity of the opposition parties in Azerbaijan. In Armenia or Georgia, several thousand people participate in demonstrations. In Azerbaijan, with a population of 9 million people, the opposition managed to gather less than 200 people.

Local and foreign journalists see how small groups of young men gather in the city centre and cry bland mottos. It seems as if the Azeri opposition isn’t connected with the people at all. It means not only that the opposition is weak, but also that the social and economic situation in the country is stable, as the people do not trust the opposition.

The members of the Azeri opposition are unconsolidated. They are unable to establish a strong political platform. The “Public Chamber” is a non-formal union of parties that disagree with the results of the parliamentary elections. The biggest obstacle in the way of the opposition consolidating is the position of the "Musavat" and "Peoples Front of Azerbaijan" parties. They have ignored a proposal to establish a united centre for the opposition parties. It appears as if none of the opposition leaders understands why the Public Chamber is holding protests.

Elmira Tariverdiyeva, Baku. Exclusively to VK.