Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s 27-year-old son, Heydar Aliyev Jr., has attended a cabinet meeting devoted to economic issues. This high-profile appearance has sparked questions about his growing political presence and his future role in Azerbaijani politics.
Aliyev Jr. took part in Thursday’s meeting alongside his mother and Azerbaijani Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva.
Although there has been no official statement made regarding his role in the meeting, according to Turan, some reports have suggested that he holds a position in the Ministry of Economy.
His presence at the meeting, against the backdrop of increased visibility this year during both state and public events, has led to speculation that he is being groomed for a future role in Azerbaijan’s leadership.
Before Ilham Aliyev became president, he attended several state meetings with his father and then President Heydar Aliyev. At the time, when journalists would ask whether he would ‘pass the presidential post to Ilham Aliyev?’, Heydar Aliyev refused to answer, calling such statements ‘opposition leaders’ gossip’.
However, when Heydar Aliyev’s health deteriorated in 2003, his son Ilham was appointed Prime Minister. During that year’s presidential election, Ilham Aliyev received over 75% of the votes. Election observers alleged the election had been defined by electoral fraud.
Given Heydar Aliyev Jr.’s recent appearances, there has been speculation that he could be similarly being groomed to eventually take his father’s place.
Who is Heydar Aliyev Jr.?
Aliyev Jr. first entered the public spotlight in 2010, when he was 12 years old.
At that time, local and international media reported that the year prior, in 2009, Aliyev Jr. had become the owner of nine waterfront mansions in Dubai worth around $44 million, or ‘roughly 10,000 years’ worth of salary for the average citizen of Azerbaijan.’
In 2017, Aliyev Jr. graduated from ADA University, an institute of higher education known for producing many of Azerbaijan’s leading diplomats and public servants. The university also has close ties with the Aliyev family. Its founding, and current, rector is Hafiz Pasheyev, who is Mehriban Aliyeva’s uncle. Aliyeva herself is also on the board of trustees.
Aliyev Jr.’s presence at Thursday’s meeting has come amid increasing visibility at both governmental and public events
In January of this year, Aliyev Jr. joined his father President Ilham Aliyev in face-to-face talks with the head of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The meeting, attended by high-ranking officials from both countries, was one of Aliyev Jr.’s most prominent appearances on the international stage.
The following month, in February, he accompanied his father to a series of military events, including a visit to the Azerbaijani Air Force facility.
The father and son also recently took part in the opening ceremony of the Karabakh University.
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