Azerbaijan’s president is betting on his family

On 21 February 2017, Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, nominated his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, for the newly created position of first vice-president. This position was introduced into Azerbaijan’s political system in September 2016 under the constitutional amendments adopted as a result of a referendum. The most important prerogative linked to the function of the first vice-president is the power to act as the head of state in the case of the president’s death or constant inability to perform his duties.