The presidential elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled to be held on April 11, less than a month after the presidential elections in Russia. The election campaigns in Russia and Azerbaijan have similarities and differences. The similarities are obvious - practically a non-alternative leader against the backdrop of a weak, fragmented opposition. However, Azerbaijani oppositionists are more active than Russian ones. They have staged few street rallies, in which the same people take part; virtual protests through social networks and video hosting; as well as active activities outside of Azerbaijan.
The latter direction is of interest more for sociopsychologists than for political scientists. The essence of the actions of the so-called independent Azerbaijani bloggers in Europe is reduced, in particular, to demonstrations in public places accompanied by politically incorrect inscriptions of the portraits of the incumbent president and the main candidate in the upcoming elections. Such specific humor is aimed at attracting the attention of Europeans to what is happening in Azerbaijan. Probably, the ‘independent bloggers’ who have fled the country, rely on the ‘external forces’ who will finance their bizarre activities. Such infantilism looks like petty slander in a junior school: ”Maria Ivanovna, you know that Petrov?’’ After all, the election is obviously an internal affair of the sovereign republic.
However, somebody has decided to ensure himself a comfortable life outside of Azerbaijan, pouring dirt on his homeland. Baku called very diplomatically all the compatriots living abroad to respect the state symbols and, taking lessons from the positive examples of the countries in which they live, not to lie, blackmail and behave unethically towards the opponents. Azerbaijani President’s Aide for Public and Political Affairs, Ali Hasanov, asked to conduct the political debates in accordance with the national and moral values and in a form that will not damage the image of the country.
According to one version, those who got involved in a campaign mingling with mud Azerbaijan and its symbols are controlled by the enemy’s ‘relevant institutions’. Others are sure that some narrow-minded young people who are not aware that their "performances" are directed not so much against the president as against the image of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis are behind this. Moreover, the second version has a real basis. Experts have repeatedly talked about the low intellectual level of the Azerbaijani opposition demonstrating ignorance of the laws of socio-political processes and geopolitics and a lack of understanding of their own people’s mentality.
Proceeding from this, it is difficult to imagine that such oppositionists will dare to conduct the pre-election campaign in their republic, but not beyond its borders, and will act not by insulting the incumbent president, but by nominating their candidate, developing a more advanced program covering all social spheres, especially the economy. Those who shout out insults to Azerbaijan today are probably unaware that their ‘Western partners’ are pursuing their own geopolitical interests, and not the interests of Azerbaijani citizens.
It is difficult to imagine, for example, an American who spews blasphemy against his country somewhere abroad, although at home the US citizens are not shy in assessing their political figures. Americans with their centuries-old democracy are well aware that one should not damage their people and the image of the whole country. But the Republic of Azerbaijan exists only about a quarter of a century, and not everyone has an understanding of the political ethics. Here we should note that not so long ago, Azerbaijan was not known either in Europe or in the US, at best it was thought as some Central Asian sub-area, and only in recent years, thanks to Ilham Aliyev's team such unloved by the opposition, Baku held Eurovision, the 1st European Games , Islamic Solidarity Games, many world-class sports championships, large-scale cultural events, which made the republic famous and respected in the EU countries and in the US.
Nevertheless, today, the voices of those who have settled far from their homeland are heard. They are trying on the role of heroes fighting with the ‘anti-popular regime.’ I want to believe that these people will outgrow their childhood illnesses, stop berating their country and direct the energy for the benefit of Azerbaijan.
