AZE.US
The recent circulation of a list of properties allegedly linked to Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov appears to be less about disclosure and more about a struggle inside the ruling establishment.
Economist and Head of REAL party Natig Jafarli said the information itself was not especially surprising, arguing that such details are often widely known long before they become the subject of public discussion. In his view, the real question is why the issue has been pushed into the spotlight now.
Jafarli linked the timing to mounting economic pressure and an apparent effort to identify someone to blame for the country’s worsening economic mood. He pointed to weak macroeconomic indicators, high inflation, and falling real incomes as signs that dissatisfaction is growing.
According to him, Asadov has become an easy target because he formally heads the Cabinet and is associated with the government’s economic management. In that reading, the publication of material tied to his alleged assets serves to strengthen the case against him at a moment of rising public frustration.
At the same time, Jafarli said the episode should be viewed as part of an internal power struggle. He argued that this is not a classic clan confrontation in the old sense, but a fight over influence, authority, and responsibility within the system.
In his assessment, the campaign around Asadov may reflect dissatisfaction among officials with his performance or management style. It may also be part of an effort to weaken his position or prepare the ground for his removal.
Jafarli ultimately offered two explanations. The first is the public-facing version: amid economic strain, the system needs a visible official to carry the blame. The second is the deeper one: competing groups within the ruling structure are using the moment to press their advantage.
AZE.US