Experts on Ibragimbekov's possible participation in Azerbaijani presidential elections

The Azerbaijani opposition National Council of Democratic Forces nominated today writer Rustan Ibragimbekov as presidential candidate for the coming elections. The writer's candidacy was supported by the Azerbaijani People's Front, the Free Society movement and the Liberal Party of Azerbaijan.

Isa Gambar, the leader of the Musavat party, also supported Ibragimbekov as the single opposition candidate for the presidential elections.

Editor-in-chief of the Vestnik Kavkaza news agency Alexey Vlasov believes that the Azerbaijani opposition is divided into factions and will probably fail to find another single candidate if Ibragimbekov refuses to take part in the presidential campaign. According to Vlasov, tensions between the Musavat party and the other members of the National Council are quite evident.

Political analyst Zardusht Alizade stresses that Rustam Ibragimbekov is a very famous and respected figure in Azerbaijan. The expert underlined, however, that the authorities will do their best not to allow him to take part in the elections.

The real intrigue will unfold on the streets. If the opposition manage to organize mass protest rallies, the authorities will be forced to register Ibragimbekov as a presidential candidate. If not, the elections will become a comedy with puppet candidates, he says.