EXECUTIVE POWER
According to the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, the sole system of executive power consists of upper, central, and local executive power bodies. This system covers the main majority of state bodies and employees and is entitled to wide rights. Implementation of laws is the major function of the executive power.
The executive power of the Republic of Azerbaijan is held by the President of the Azerbaijan Republic. Presidents must be the natural citizens of Azerbaijan of higher education, residing in Azerbaijan for not less than ten years, eligible to vote and not charged with any grave crimes, and without any previous commitments to any other country. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is elected for a 7-year term by way of universal, common, and equal suffrage, by free, personal, and secret ballots. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan may declare the early presidential elections. The President is the head of state according to the political system of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan provides expand powers for the President. He has the power to appoint and release the first vice-president and vice-presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He also has the power to appoints and release the Prime Minister by agreement of Milli Majlis. The President dismisses the Cabinet of Ministers and appoints and releases members of the Cabinet Ministers. The President of the Azerbaijan Republic introduces the state budget in the Milli Majlis for approval. The President of the Azerbaijan Republic regulates directly the work of the government.
The President of the Azerbaijan Republic presents the candidates for positions of judges of the Constitutional Courts, the Supreme Court of the Azerbaijan Republic, and the Court of Appeal of the Azerbaijan Republic; appoints judges of other courts of the Azerbaijan Republic; appoints and releases the Prosecutor General of the Azerbaijan Republic by agreement of the Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic. The President signs laws introduced to him within 56 days. If the President does not agree with a law, he does not sign it and may return it to the Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan republic along with his protest within the same period of time.
The President signs international interstate contracts. Intergovernmental agreements which are different from the Republic of Azerbaijan`s laws, President send them to the Milli Majlis for approval or annul the contract; signs certificates.
The President of the Azerbaijan Republic establishes the Security Council and governs it. The head of state issues a decree on the military or emergency state and introduces it in the Milli Majlis within 24 hours. Under the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, the President of the Azerbaijan Republic settles all other issues not related to the functions of the Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic and judicial bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.
The President of the Azerbaijan Republic has wide power as for international political activity. The President is the plenipotentiary representative of the Republic in official visits and international talks. Moreover, the President of the Azerbaijan Republic receives the credentials of the diplomatic representatives of foreign countries, appoints and withdraws the country's diplomatic representatives in foreign countries and international organizations.