AZE.US
Comments follow renewed scrutiny of former presidential administration chief Ramiz Mehdiyev and broader debate over political reform in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani political figure Natig Jafarli said processes unfolding around the legacy of former presidential administration head Ramiz Mehdiyev were largely predictable and reflect a gradual weakening of a political system formed over decades, according to remarks made in an interview with Musavat TV.
Jafarli said discussions about Mehdiyev’s influence had circulated widely in public and political circles for many years, and recent developments should be viewed within the context of shifting security and foreign-policy dynamics affecting Azerbaijan’s strategic positioning.
He linked the current moment to changes that followed Mehdiyev’s departure from office in 2019, noting that subsequent political dialogue between authorities and political actors represented a constructive step, even if it has not yet produced deep structural reforms.
At the same time, Jafarli argued that mechanisms of control associated with the previous political framework are gradually losing influence, contributing to resistance from groups with a stake in maintaining earlier arrangements.
The politician said he does not support punitive measures but called for an end to political manipulation and for the development of a more transparent and stable governance environment.
He added that the trajectory of ongoing changes will determine whether Azerbaijan experiences substantive political transformation or limited institutional adjustment.