Ganja, the second-largest city in Azerbaijan, is an important political center in the country. Azerbaijan is a presidential republic with a strong centralized government, and the president is the head of state and also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
The political system in Azerbaijan is dominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), which has been in power since 1993. The YAP was founded by Heydar Aliyev, the former President of Azerbaijan and father of the current President, Ilham Aliyev. The YAP has been accused of suppressing opposition voices and cracking down on civil society and media freedom.
Ganja has played a prominent role in Azerbaijan’s political landscape. The city has been a center of opposition to the ruling party, and several opposition leaders, such as Isa Gambar and Ali Kerimli, were born or lived in Ganja. The city was also the site of a protest movement in 2018, which was sparked by dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the economy and corruption.
In recent years, Azerbaijan has been embroiled in a conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has been controlled by Armenian forces since the early 1990s. In 2020, Azerbaijan launched a military operation to retake the region, resulting in a decisive victory for Azerbaijan and the signing of a peace agreement with Armenia.
The government of Azerbaijan has been criticized for human rights violations, including the detention of opposition politicians and activists, restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and mistreatment of prisoners. The country’s judiciary has also been criticized for lacking independence and for its failure to investigate cases of corruption and other abuses of power.
Despite these challenges, Azerbaijan has made significant progress in economic development, particularly in the oil and gas sector. The city of Ganja has also undergone significant development, with the construction of modern buildings, shopping centers, and sports facilities.
In conclusion, politics in Ganja, Azerbaijan, is characterized by a complex and evolving landscape. While the government has been accused of human rights violations and suppressing opposition voices, the city has played an important role in opposition to the ruling party. The ongoing conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh remains a significant challenge for the country’s political stability and security. The city’s development and economic progress make it an important destination for foreign investment and international business.