1.1. Form of Government: Azerbaijani State is democratic, legal, secular, unitary Republic. State power is based on the principle of division of powers: Milli Majlis (Parliament) exercises legislative power; executive power belongs to the President; and courts exercise judicial power.

     1.2. Legislative Power: Milli Majlis - one chamber body comprising of 125 members, elected by direct elections for a 5 year term. Last elections were held in 2005.

     1.3. Executive Power

     1.3.1. Head of State: The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the Head of the Azerbaijani State. The President is elected for a 5-year term by general, direct elections, with free, personal and secret ballot. Executive power in the Republic of Azerbaijan belongs to the President. Last election was held in 2003.

     1.3.2. Head of Government: The President by consent of Milli Majlis appoints Prime-minister. For implementation of executive powers the President establishes Cabinet of Ministers. Cabinet of Ministers is subordinate to the President and reports to him.

     1.4. Judicial Power:Judicial power in Azerbaijan is implemented by courts. Judicial power is implemented through the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, ordinary and other specialized courts.

     2. Constitution
     Following a referendum on November 12, 1995, the new Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted and entered into force on December 5, 1995. The country's basic law was developed in line with the fundamental principles and norms of international law.
     Continuing the centuries long traditions of statehood, and taking as a basis the principles expressed in the Constitutional Act "On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan", desiring to provide prosperity and welfare for the whole society and each individual, wishing to establish freedom and security, understanding the responsibility before the past, present and future generations, using the right of its sovereignty the Constitution declares solemnly its following intentions:

     - Protect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
     - Provide a democratic system within the framework of the Constitution;
     - Achieve the establishment of a civil society;
     - Build a secular state based on the rule of law as an expression of the will of the nation;
     - Provide worthy living standards for everybody in conformity with just economic and social order;
     - Remain faithful to universal human values, to live in friendship, peace and freedom with all the nations of the world and cooperate with them for this purpose.
     As stipulated by article 1 of the Constitution, "In the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani people shall be the sole source of State power".
     Under article 2 of the Constitution, the people of Azerbaijan shall exercise their sovereign right directly through nationwide voting (referendums) and through representatives elected on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by free, secret and personal ballot.
     Article 7 of the Constitution stipulates that the Azerbaijani State shall be a democratic, constitutional, secular and unitary Republic. In Azerbaijan, the power of the State shall be restricted in domestic matters only by the country's law and, in foreign affairs, only by the provisions arising from international treaties to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party. State power in the Republic of Azerbaijan shall be based on the principle of the division of powers among legislative, executive and judicial branches of power. Pursuant to the Constitution, the legislature, executive and judiciary shall interact with one another and be independent within their various jurisdictions.

     3. Political Parties
     There are 42 political parties in Azerbaijan:
     1. New Azerbaijan Party
     2. Azerbaijan National Independence Party
     3. Azerbaijan Renaissance and Progress Party
     4. Azerbaijan People Democratic Party
     5. Ana Vatan Party
     6. National Democratic Cognition Party
     7. Azerbaijan Peasant Party
     8. Citizens' Solidarity Party
     9. Party of Musavat (Equality)
     10.Party of Unity
     11.United Azerbaijan National Unity Party
     12.United Azerbaijan Party
     13.Party of Democratic Azerbaijan World
     14.Independent Azerbaijan Party
     15.National Liberation Party
     16.Azerbaijan Compatriot Party
     17.Azerbaijan Hope Party
     18.Gorgud Party
     19.Azerbaijan National Movement Party
     20.Azerbaijan Communist Party
     21.Azerbaijan National Statehood Party
     22.Azerbaijan Patriots Party
     23.Azerbaijan Democratic Entrepreneurs Party
     24.Party of Alliance for the Sake of Azerbaijan
     25.Azerbaijan Democratic Enlightenment Party
     26.Azerbaijan Social Welfare Party
     27.Azerbaijan Liberal Party
     28.Azerbaijan Social Democratic Party
     29.Azerbaijan Popular Front Party
     30.Azerbaijan United Communist Party
     31.Party of Social Justice
     32.National Congress Party
     33.Party of Unity
     34.Azerbaijan Republicans Party
     35.Azerbaijan People Party
     36.Azerbaijan Liberal Democrat Party
     37.Azerbaijan Democrat Party
     38.Azerbaijan Party of Fighters
     39.Party of Justice
     40.Party of National Unity
     41.Party of Muasir Musavat (Modern Equality)
     42.Azerbaijan Free Republicans Party