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 2010 (legislative) and October 2008 (presidential); next elections in November 2015 (legislative) and 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 Aliyev; Azerbaijan National Independence Party (ANIP); Party of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan (PPFA); Musavat (Equality); Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (DPA); National Unity Party; Azerbaijan Democratic Independence Party (ADIP); Islamic Party of Azerbaijan (IPA); The Party of Hope (Umid)

Council of Ministers

Prime minister: Artur Rasizade

First deputy prime minister: Yagub Eyubov

Deputy prime ministers:

;Abid Sharifov

;Elcin Efendiyev

;Ali Hasanov

Key ministers

Agriculture: Ismed Abbasov

Communications & information technology: Ali Abbasov

Culture & tourism: Abulfaz Garayev

Defence: Safar Abiyev

Defence industry: Yaver Jamalov

Ecology & natural resources: Huseyn Bagirov

Economic development: Shahin Mustafayev

Education: Misir Mardanov

Emergency planning: Kemaleddin Heydarov

Finance: Samir Sharifov

Foreign affairs: Elmar Mammadyarov

Health: Oqtay Shiraliyev

Industry & energy: Natiq Aliyev

Interior: Ramil Usubov

Justice: Fikret Mamedov

Labour & social protection: Fizuli Alekperov

National security: Eldar Mahmudov

Taxes: Fazil Mamedov

Transport: Ziya Mamedov

Youth & sport: Azad Rahimov

Parliamentary speaker

Ogtay Asadov

Central bank chairman

Elman Rustamov