Elchin Shikhlinski: "The upcoming elections in Azerbaijan adhere to the principle "participation is more important than victory"

- At least two weeks are left to the next presidential elections in Azerbaijan. Do you expect any pressure on mass media and worsening of situation in the sphere of freedom of speech in this period?

- If speaking logically, no.
As is known, Azerbaijan is a country of paradox and it is not always correct to approach the assessment of any situation in our country logically, as time shows. Therefore, it can not be completely ruled out that the number of facts, proving pressure on independent media, will grow.

- Let's compare. How much have the influence and popularity of opposition medias, which published the opinions of these or those opposition parties, on the events in the country, weakened, as compared to the recent presidential elections of 2003?

- The local press, which was a carrier of alternative ideas in 2003, differed by a greater solidarity and mutual support.

Unfortunately, it is now impossible to speak of existence of these two concepts in the area of independent and opposition medias. In this connection, it would be expedient to remind that the Central Election Commission demands from private media structures, which intend to participate in presidential racing by means of publishing agitation materials of any presidential candidate, to appeal to the Central Election Commission, officially register their intention to engage in election agitation and public a price list for such a political advertising.

Such kinds of attempts and initiatives were voiced by the Central Election Commission during the previous presidential and parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. But at that time the solidarity and mutual support of independent medias  played its positive role, we filed a claim to the court and settled this issue. But today, no one thinks to oppose the demands of the commission.

In this connection, I even have an intention to fully ignore the topic of presidential elections, as if they are not held in our country.

- But why don't candidates from opposition parties, who need such an advertising even more than the candidate from the ruling party, who has wonderful publicity, speak against such things?

- I think that this is because opposition representatives are aware that they will not be able to change situation with their popularity in the country through the period of the pre-election agitation.

In other words, no one in Azerbaijan will learn about an oppositional candidate in period of the election campaign so much that to vote for him.

- But why do all these political personalities take part in the presidential elections?

- Certainly, it would be more correct to address this question to the political personalities. I can only express my own point of view on this issue. I suppose, the current presidential elections adhere to the Olympic principle "participation is more important than victory". But I am sure that the founder of modern Olympic movement Pierre de Cuberten did not propose that the principle, he voiced, would be used by representatives of some political trends in a certain small country in 100 years following the first modern Olympic Games of 1896 in Athens. But this is a reality.

Today, it should be accepted that for some of our candidates, the very participation in the presidential racing is already a victory. What kind of victory? This question should be put to local "political Olympians".

- On other words, there is no alternative to working president of Azerbaijan under the whole richness of choice?

- This is out of the question! There is no alternative to Ilham Aliyev whether we want it or no. I say it sincerely, assessing the current situation in Azerbaijan.

/Day.Az/