Aliyev’s critics say the September referendum – which also extended the presidential term from five to seven years — effectively guaranteed a dynastic rule.

In 2003, Aliyev succeeded his father, who had ruled Azerbaijan first as head of the Communist Party and then as a post-Soviet president for the greater part of three decades.

Aliyev has firmly allied the energy-rich Shiite Muslim nation with the West, helping secure his country’s energy and security interests and offset Russia’s influence in the strategic Caspian Sea region.

http://nypost.com/2017/02/21/azerbaijans-leader-names-his-wife-as-first-vice-president/