Azerbaijan celebrates Constitution Day, a date of profound national significance. The year 2025 has been officially declared as the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty in Azerbaijan, symbolizing the country’s deep commitment to statehood, legal traditions, national independence, and sovereign values. This declaration highlights the importance of reinforcing constitutional principles, strengthening national unity, and fostering civic responsibility across society.

Each year, 12 November marks the adoption of the Constitution of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan, compiled under the direct leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and approved in 1995. The Constitution, which is based on the principles of “a democratic, constitutional, secular, unitary republic”, ensures the implementation of democratic and modern state-building, as well as fundamental socio-economic and political and legal reforms in Azerbaijan.

Following the restoration of state independence in 1991, Azerbaijan faced significant challenges. The years 1991–1993 were characterized by ineffective governance, political turbulence, and institutional fragility. State structures were not yet established, law and order deteriorated, and citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms were under threat.

The turning point came in 1993, when the people of Azerbaijan insistently invited Heydar Aliyev to return to leadership. Through his decisive and historic mission, he restored political stability, strengthened public order, and laid the solid foundations of modern Azerbaijani statehood.

Under his leadership, the first Constitution of the independent Republic was drafted and adopted on 12 November 1995 through a nationwide referendum. This foundational document became the cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s legislative and institutional reforms, ensuring protection of the country’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and promoting cooperation with the international community. It has played a crucial role in shaping a legal and secular state system and in guaranteeing the welfare and rights of Azerbaijani citizens. This year, the nation proudly celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Constitution.

The Constitution’s Preamble affirms the defense of Azerbaijan’s state independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity as core objectives. However, for nearly three decades, Armenia’s occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territories hindered the full realization of these principles. Restoring territorial integrity became a national priority, and the collective strength and will of the Azerbaijani people were mobilized to achieve this historic goal.

Recognizing the paramount importance of these achievements, President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on 28 December 2024, declaring 2025 as the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty” in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

RABAT, NOV 11 /DNA/ – On the Order of King Mohammed V, a meeting chaired by His Majesty the King’s Advisors, Mr. Taib Fassi Fihri, Mr. Omar Azziman and Mr. Fouad Ali El Himma, took place this Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Royal Cabinet, with the heads of the national parties represented in both Houses of Parliament, in the presence of the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans residing abroad.

This meeting was dedicated, in accordance with the Very High Instructions of the King, to updating and formulating in detail the autonomy initiative, within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, in execution of the Royal Decision contained in the Speech addressed by the Sovereign to His loyal people on October 31, following the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2797.

This meeting is part of His Majesty the King’s, constant commitment to implementing a participatory approach and broad consultation whenever the country’s major issues are at stake.

In this regard, His Majesty the King’s Advisors informed the leaders of the political parties present of the Sovereign’s desire to consult them on this crucial issue which concerns all Moroccans, while inviting them to submit visions and proposals from their organizations regarding the updating and detailed formulation of the autonomy initiative.

During this meeting, the leaders of the political parties welcomed the positive developments in the issue of the Moroccan Sahara and expressed their pride in the Royal Decision to involve national political bodies, the various institutions and vital forces of the nation in the development of an integrated, updated and detailed vision of the autonomy initiative in the Moroccan Sahara, within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, capable of guaranteeing the return of our brothers from the Tindouf camps, to reunite with their families, build their future and contribute to the management of their local affairs, within the fold of a united Morocco, as His Majesty the King emphasized in His recent Speech.

They also expressed their unwavering commitment, under the wise leadership of His Majesty the King, and their full support for the initiatives and tireless efforts that the Sovereign has consistently undertaken to defend our country’s legitimate rights and consolidate Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. These efforts culminated in the adoption of the recent Security Council resolution, which recognizes the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a realistic and achievable solution, within the framework of the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity, and as the basis for negotiations to reach a definitive settlement of this regional conflict.

In response to this generous Royal Invitation, the leaders of the political parties affirmed their commitment to submit memoranda on this subject to His Majesty the King as soon as possible.

BAGHDAD, Nov 11 (AFP/APP):Iraqis elect a new parliament on Tuesday in a vote that comes at a pivotal time for the country and the wider region, and which both Iran and the United States will be closely watching.

  Iraq has been unusually stable in recent years, as the nation tries to move past decades of war and repression under slain dictator Saddam Hussein and since the US-led invasion that toppled him.

But even now, the country of 46 million people suffers from poor infrastructure, failing public services and endemic corruption.

    Many have lost hope that elections can bring meaningful change to their daily lives and see the vote as a sham that only benefits political elites and regional powers.

Polling stations will open at 7:00 am local time (0400 GMT) and close at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT).

    Despite the scepticism, more than 7,740 candidates, nearly a third of them women, are running for the 329-seat parliament.

                  Only 75 independents are running under an electoral law that many believe favours larger parties.

                  More than 21 million people are eligible to vote, but there are fears turnout could drop below the 41 percent registered in 2021 — the lowest since voting began.

                  “Every four years, the same thing happens. We don’t see young faces or new energies” capable of “making a change,” said university student Al-Hassan Yassin.