Politicians dispute on probability of Kazakh scenario in Azerbaijan

Mass protests such as those underway in Kazakhstan are possible in Azerbaijan if the authorities fail with democratic reforms, oppositionists believe. Mass actions in Azerbaijan have been ruled out due to people's high trust in the president, a member of the ruling party is sure.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that mass protest actions are underway in Kazakhstan, accompanied by protesters' clashes with law enforcers and military servicemen. The protests began back on January 2, after the price of liquefied gas, which is massively used by motorists, was doubled.

In Kazakhstan, people are protesting against corruption and authoritarian rule, Arif Gadjily, the head of the "Musavat" Party, has stated. "This is people's uprising against the government of Kazakhstan, which had for many years ignored them," Mr Gadjily told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Arif Gadjily believes that Azerbaijan has many similarities with. "The events in Kazakhstan show that where authorities disregard people's will such things happen. They may quite well happen in Azerbaijan. To prevent this, democratic political and economic reforms are needed," the politician has stated.

Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), believes that the "social explosion in Kazakhstan" should become an alarming signal for country's authorities. "No authoritarian regimes are eternal. Striving for freedom and justice is inherent in the nature of all peoples," he told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In his turn, Elman Nasirov, an MP from the ruling "Eni Azerbaijan" Party, has stated, while assessing the events in Kazakhstan, that "this cannot happen in Azerbaijan."

In his opinion, social and political stability reigns in Azerbaijan. "The people of Azerbaijan are demonstrating unity around their president," Mr Nasirov has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 7, 2022 at 02:29 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.