Ilham Aliyev Wins Fifth Term as Azerbaijan's President in Disputed Election

The snap election, called after Azerbaijan's victory in Nagorno-Karabakh, saw Aliyev secure over 92% of the vote amid allegations of irregularities and a lack of genuine opposition.

Ilham Aliyev secured a landslide victory with over 92% of the vote in a snap presidential election criticized for being neither free nor fair.
The election followed Azerbaijan's military success in Nagorno-Karabakh, boosting Aliyev's popularity despite allegations of authoritarian rule.
Major opposition parties boycotted the election, and international observers reported voting irregularities, including carousel voting and ballot tampering.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy congratulated Aliyev, highlighting Azerbaijan's strategic partnerships.
The victory marks Aliyev's fifth consecutive term, continuing his family's long-standing control over Azerbaijan amid increasing political repression.