FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

Official name

Republic of Azerbaijan

Form of state

Azerbaijan existed as an independent republic between 1918 and 1920, before becoming part of the Soviet Union as the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic in April 1920. In September 1989 Azerbaijan proclaimed its sovereignty, and on October 18th 1991 it declared full independence. A new constitution was adopted in November 1995

National legislature

National Assembly of 125 members elected from single-member constituencies

National elections

November 2005 (legislative) and October 2008 (presidential); next elections due by November 2010 (legislative) and by October 2013 (presidential)

Head of state

The president, Ilham Aliyev, was elected for a second five-year term in October 2008

National government

The president appoints the cabinet of ministers, and in co-ordination with parliament, the president appoints the prime minister and heads of local government

Main political parties

New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), led by Mr