Azerbaijan operates under a presidential republic political structure. The President of Azerbaijan serves as the head of state and head of government and holds significant executive powers. The President is elected by popular vote for a seven-year term and can be re-elected for a maximum of two consecutive terms. The President appoints the Cabinet of Ministers, which forms the government and implements policies.

The legislative branch of Azerbaijan is a unicameral parliament known as the National Assembly (Milli Majlis). The National Assembly consists of 125 members who are elected for a five-year term through a mixed electoral system. The National Assembly is responsible for enacting laws, approving the state budget, and exercising oversight over the executive branch. Azerbaijan also has a judiciary system that operates independently from the executive and legislative branches. The judiciary is responsible for interpreting and applying the law, ensuring justice, and protecting the rights of individuals. The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan is the highest court in the country and serves as the final appellate instance in the judicial system.

It’s important to note that Azerbaijan has been criticized for limitations on political freedoms, including restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, as well as concerns over the independence of the judiciary. These issues have been the subject of international scrutiny and calls for reforms to strengthen democratic principles and human rights in the country.