Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament Orders Disciplinary Review of MP Vahid Ahmadov's Remarks
In an interview with oppositional Sanjag Internet TV, Azerbaijani MP Vahid Ahmadov criticized his counterpart for their behavior and the situation in the country. At the plenary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament on April 25, the MPs harshly criticized Ahmadov for his comments.
In the interview of journalist Mehman Huseynov with Vahid Ahmadov, unemployment, elections, social issues, penance, low income, and other issues were in focus in the country. Vahid Ahmadov said he cannot say that the people's livelihood is good: "As a state, we have not been able to solve the issue of unemployment in the regions." According to him, financial resources are not available for businesses and people in the country, especially for the population engaged in agriculture. "If a loan is given to 15-20 virtues, the person who receives it will not be able to receive income and engage in an entrepreneurial activity because he faces the problem of repaying the loan," the MP noted.
Ahmadov said that according to the instructions of the country's president, 300 AZN [EUR 159] per month was allocated to the executive authorities for the unemployed population: "These funds should be delivered to the population through the Unemployment Insurance Fund. But we see that at the end of the year, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population reports that 56 million manats have been saved from the funds allocated for the unemployed. I ask, why are you saving? Not 300 manats per unemployed person, but a little give more money so that he can live well."
He said that the law does not allow the MPs of the Azerbaijani Parliament to engage in business: "Millar's lawyer, a public official, cannot do business. If they are involved in business, they should resign. The MP said that it is important for officials to submit income declarations. "Azerbaijani Parliament adopted the law on income declaration more than ten years ago, and the head of state instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to prepare normative documents for income declaration. This should be implemented," he added. He said that currently, enough MPs in the Azerbaijani Parliament are engaged in business. Ahmadov noted that there are issues to be discussed regarding various social problems, including unemployment, salary, pension, retirement age, and social protection of veterans.
In response to the journalist's question about naming the three MPs elected by the people, he said there are MPs Ali Masimli, Ganira Pashayeva, himself, and others. "To be elected or to be elected, everyone has their constituency. Now how can I tell you?" Ahmadov noted. In response to a question about the power-opposition issue, the MP said that several parties in Azerbaijan could gather votes in the election. "One of them is the New Azerbaijan Party, the second is the Azerbaijan People's Front Party, the third is the Musavat Party, and it is possible that the REAL Party can gather votes at this level. I think that Fazil Mustafa (Great Liberation Party) and Gudrat Hasanguliyev (All Azerbaijan People Front Party) parties can gather a certain number of votes. Secondly, being the opposition in the current state policy is not an easy task; it is a difficult task," he noted.
Reactions
It should be noted that the interview has already been viewed by more than 500,000 people on Mehman Huseynov's YouTube channel, 1.5 million on the TikTok channel, and more than 800,000 on his Instagram page.
Sahiba Gafarova, the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, instructed the MP's case to be reviewed by the Disciplinary Commission of the Azerbaijani Parliament.
MP Kamran Bayramov said that the statements made by Vahid Ahmadov during the interview were infuriating. "Mr. Vahid questions the democratic elections held in Azerbaijan. If he has the facts, let him present them, but if he can't, it is unreasonable for him to voice such opinions. His opinions harm the reputation of the MPs," he said.
MP Elshan Musayev noted that Vahid Ahmadov's views are biased: "This person deserves to be reprimanded. I ask that this issue be considered in the Disciplinary Commission of the Azerbaijani Parliament."
Other MPs also harshly criticized Vahid Ahmadov's views. It was reported that Vahid Ahmadov's ideas are grist to the mill of foreign forces. MP Ziyafat Asgarov, based on Ahmadov's opinion of himself as a statesman, said: "A statesman should be with the state. Not Mehman Huseynov, People's Front, Musavat," he said.
MP Razi Nurullayev noted that according to Vahid Ahmadov, all but 2-3 of the MPs sitting here are traitors, enemies of the people, and were falsely elected. "Then why are you sitting here? Even those who are on official visits to different countries every week, speak on behalf of our country in all formats and platforms, and sit down with representatives of Armenia, English and Russian versions of their speeches are widely shared not only by us but also by citizens of other countries. by not mentioning the name of Ms. Sahiba, the chairman indirectly describes her as someone who doesn't care about the state. Is it possible to make so much noise and do injustice? To ignore the work of Sahiba Gafarova and to ignore what she has done for our country is the greatest injustice and insult," he added.
Vahid Ahmadov said that he defended the state's position in the interview. "Even today, I defend the position of the state. In all my speeches, whether in the Azerbaijani Parliament or the press, it is clear to everyone what position I was in. Here, Fazail Agamali said that the Disciplinary Commission should consider it. I do not object; let it be considered. I will not answer all the questions there. I am ready. My nation will see that I am a person who stands by my state and my nation," he said.