Azerbaijan is a democratic, law-based, secular, unitary republic. The only one source of state power in the Republic of Azerbaijan is the people of Azerbaijan. The Constitution, approved by general referendum on 12 November 1995, provides the principle of division of powers: Milli Medjlis (Parliament) exercises legislative power; executive power belongs to the President; and law courts exercise judicial power.
Milli Medjlis – one chamber body comprising 125 deputies, elected by direct elections for a 5 year term. The Culture Committee drafts legislation for culture.
Judicial power in Azerbaijan is implemented through the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, ordinary and other specialised law courts.
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the Head of the Azerbaijan state. The President is elected for a 5-year term by way of general, direct and equal elections, with free, personal and secret ballot. The President appoints the Prime-minister, by consent of the Parliament. For implementation of executive powers, the President establishes the Cabinet of Ministers, which is subordinated and reports to the President.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan is an organ of central executive power, realising state policy and adjustments in the fields of cultural policy, cultural heritage (intangible cultural heritage, historical and cultural monuments, museums and libraries), professional arts (theatre, music, and fine arts), cultural industries (book publishing and cinematography) and tourism (internal, external, licensing, marketing, etc.).
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR), city administrations of culture and tourism in Baku, Ganja, Sumgayit, as well as 64 towns and districts departments of culture and tourism, are responsible for local executive cultural and tourism policy issues (see also chapter 3.1).
The Culture Concept of the Republic of Azerbaijan demands implementation of modern methods in culture and arts administration by optimising decentralisation processes in state administration by managing the balance between central and local executive authorities; realisation of de-monopolisation by forming arts-management and producer institute systems and promotion of contemporary administration; sustainable democratisation in order to form civil society, preserve national identity and encourage private initiatives.
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