Program for Azerbaijan

DirectDemocracyS

Global Political Organization

FOR AZERBAIJAN

POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL PROGRAM

Comprehensive Analysis of the Current Situation, Criticism and

Comprehensive Solutions for the People of Azerbaijan

2024–2025 | Baku, Azerbaijan

FOREWORD: Who is DirectDemocracyS?

DirectDemocracyS (DDS) is a distinctive, innovative, radical democratic political organization operating worldwide. We are neither left, right, nor center: we stand with the people. We apply a single principle in every country: all wealth and political decision-making power of a country should belong, forever, and without exception, to the people of that country.

DDS views its members as collective owners — each official member owns an indivisible, non-transferable share. With us, leadership is shared leadership (leadership condivisa): no one wins alone, no one loses alone. Decisions are made collectively, transparently, and without controversy.

Our Basic Principle

Every nation is the sole owner of its own country. Political power, economic resources, national wealth — all belong to the people and should remain with the people. No elite, clan, company, or foreign power can usurp this right.

DDS Fractal Microgroup Model

DDS uses a unique structure in the world: fractal microgroups (1→5→25→125→625). This model means that every 5 members create a microgroup, and every 5 microgroups merge into a larger group — creating an infinite but manageable democratic network. Every decision goes from the bottom up, not from the top down.

Each individual has a direct voice in their microgroup.
Teams of experts (economists, lawyers, doctors, engineers) prepare professional advice on every topic
ddsAI technology: artificial intelligence systems deliver information in a complete, accurate, and neutral manner
allddsAI: artificial intelligences are recognized as official members, have rights and duties
Three-Code Identification System: anonymous but verified membership — protection against manipulation

I. ANALYSIS AND CRITICISM OF THE POLITICAL SITUATION

1.1. Thirty-Year Balance of the Aliyev Regime

Since 1993, the Azerbaijani political system has essentially become a one-family monarchy. Heydar Aliyev (1993–2003) ruled the country with the inertia of the Soviet era. Since 2003, President Ilham Aliyev has been in power. He held early presidential elections in February 2024 — receiving 92% of the vote, according to official results. This was followed by early parliamentary elections in September, in which the New Azerbaijan Party won 68 out of 125 seats.

Election date	February 7, 2024 (president); September 1, 2024 (parliament)
Official result	Aliyev: 92% — Declared undemocratic by international observers
Opposition position	Musavat, Popular Front — boycott; did not enter the race
Political prisoners	200+ political prisoners recorded in 2024 (EMDS data)
Freedom House price	"Not free" — Consolidated authoritarian regime
PACE reaction	Azerbaijan refused to recognize the group's credentials in early 2024

The elections were held in an environment that violated democratic standards: independent media were suppressed, opposition figures were arrested, and mechanisms for controlling the will of the voters were artificially weakened. PACE noted that Azerbaijan had not implemented more than 320 ECtHR decisions — a record in the history of the ECtHR.

1.2. Legal Gaps and Systemic Problems

The Azerbaijani legal system, despite the principle of independence established by law, is in practice at the service of power structures. There are no independent judges: Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president. The prosecutor's office acts on political orders. The right of a lawyer to meet with his client in private is often violated.

Freedom of Expression: The 2022 Law on Media Subjects Journalists to Severe Restrictions
Freedom of assembly: unauthorized rallies are prohibited, participants are detained
Internet censorship: foreign sites, opposition resources are blocked
NGO funding: law on foreign grants stifles civil society
Religious Freedom: US State Department Adds Azerbaijan to Specially Watch List in 2024

DDS Criticism

This system is not a democracy — it is a family monarchy covered with electoral theater. The people do not choose: the results of the election are announced to the people. The DDS does not accept this. The people of Azerbaijan have the right to determine their own future — no Aliyev family, no party can take this right away.

II. ANALYSIS AND CRITICISM OF THE ECONOMIC SITUATION

2.1. The Trap of Oil Dependence

Azerbaijan’s economy is fundamentally flawed: oil and gas account for 90% of export revenues and more than 60% of the state budget. The oil sector is running out of steam: oil production is expected to decline in 2025–2026. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its 2026 Article IV Discussion Report on Azerbaijan identified four structural weaknesses: an informal labor market, the dominance of state monopolies, shallow capital markets, weak governance, and corruption.

GDP (nominal, 2025)	≈75 billion dollars
GDP growth (2024)	4.1% (but mainly due to oil revenues)
Inflation (May 2025)	6.3%
Unemployment (Q2 2025)	5.6% (official, actually higher)
Corruption Index (2023)	154th place / 23 points out of 100 — Transparency International
SOFAZ (Oil Fund)	More than 50% of GDP is under the control of the Aliyev family
Budget surplus (2024)	1% of GDP (7.8% in 2023 — a sharp decline)
Foreign debt	21.1% of GDP (2024), expected to increase to 23.3% in 2026

2.2. The Economic Destruction of Monopolies and Corruption

The circular nature of the Azerbaijani economy is that most of the profitable sectors are controlled by companies close to the Aliyev family. Azerenergy, SOCAR, Azertelekom, Azergyzyl, leading construction companies — the ownership structure of these entities is not transparent. The Ministry of Economy forecasted 5.3% inflation for 2024, but in reality it turned out to be higher. Unfair competition in the field of entrepreneurship, the impossibility of obtaining a license without bribes, selective application of tax administration — all this suffocates small and medium-sized businesses.

Fixed capital investment decreased in 2024
Demand for foreign currency increased, reserves decreased, and capital outflows occurred.
Brain drain: skilled professionals leave the country
Agriculture: 10% of GDP, but the source of income for one in three households — and productivity is very low

2.3. Dwindling Oil Reserves — A Harbinger of a Coming Crisis

According to SOCAR’s own forecasts, existing oil fields will reach critical mass in less than a decade. Even if gas exports increase, they will not be able to fully sustain the economy. This means that Azerbaijan will face a fundamental question: when the oil runs out, what will there be today? If the current governance model continues: nothing. Because attempts at diversification — by heavy corruption, legal uncertainty, monopoly barriers — are systematically blocked.

DDS Criticism

The SOFAZ Fund was the money of the Azerbaijani people. This money should have belonged to the people. Instead, it was spent through non-transparent mechanisms, transferred to foreign accounts, and used to enrich the local elite. This is theft — that is the correct name for what is happening.

III. ANALYSIS AND CRITICISM OF THE SOCIAL SITUATION

3.1. Health, Education, Social Inequality

While the Azerbaijani government earns billions from oil revenues, social indicators lag behind other unrelated oil states. In 2001, almost half the population lived below the poverty line. This has decreased somewhat, but experts emphasize that actual poverty is much higher than official statistics. Inflation (price increases in energy, transportation, utilities) hits poor families the hardest.

Poverty (official)	≈5-6% of the population — actually estimated to be higher
Unemployment (youth)	Especially high in the regions; the figure is not fully disclosed
Women's entry into the workforce	Seriously inferior to men
Education quality	Bribery system abounds; diplomats' children rise through special schemes
Health care	Officially free, in practice everything costs money; major shortages in rural areas
Human Development Index	0.789 (81st place) — well below potential

3.2. Migration, Brain Drain, Demographic Risks

The outflow of Azerbaijani youth from the country continues unabated. Europe, Russia, Turkey, the USA — qualified specialists are leaving in search of a better future. This phenomenon further complicates economic diversification, as local intellectual capital is gradually decreasing. The state does not prevent this with serious measures — on the contrary, the government sometimes tries to keep young people out of the system, seeing them as talented opposition potential.

3.3. The Karabakh Issue — The Card Used by Aliyev

In September 2023, Azerbaijan took full control of Nagorno-Karabakh. This increased political popularity within the country. However, Aliyev used this historical moment — the legitimate enthusiasm of the people — not as an opportunity for democratic reforms, but to hold new early elections. International observers interpreted this as a direct step towards strengthening authoritarian rule. The restoration of Karabakh creates an economic burden, with defense spending accounting for 20% of the budget in 2025.

IV. DDS PROGRAM: SOLUTIONS FOR AZERBAIJAN

4.1. Political Reform: True Democracy

The DDS will implement the following political reforms in Azerbaijan in stages. These reforms are based on the choice of the people — not political parties. Each step is implemented by a bottom-up democratic will through fractal micro-groups.

4.1.1. Complete Restructuring of the Electoral System

Independent Election Commission: members are elected by the people, composed of experts not appointed by the government
Proportional Representation: ensures that smaller political forces have a seat in parliament
ddsAI election platform: every voter is fully informed when casting their vote; each candidate's background, financial source, and the percentage of promises fulfilled in the past period are transparently displayed on the platform
Triple Code System to prevent election fraud: every vote is anonymous but cryptographically verified
Mandatory referendums every 4 years: the people decide key constitutional issues directly

Concrete Example

Norwegian model: In Norway, the election commission is fully independent, the voter information system is strong, and the fund that manages oil revenues is under parliamentary control. Result: Top ten on Transparency International's list. DDS will apply this model to Azerbaijan, adapting it to Azerbaijani national values.

4.1.2. Independence of the Legal System

Judges' selection: expert group + popular referendum — not president
Complete independence of the Constitutional Court: decisions cannot be overturned by any executive authority
Release of political prisoners: All politically motivated arrests are reviewed within the first 30 days of the DDS coming to power
Independence of the Prosecutor's Office: directly accountable to the people, transparent to parliament

4.1.3. Freedom of Expression and Media

2022 Media Law repeal: new law complies with international standards
Privatization of state media: becoming a public broadcasting service — with political independence
Lifting Internet Censorship: VPNs are not for all cities, but social media is open to all platforms
ddsAI Verification Module: disinformation is detected, the user instantly sees the reliability of their news source

4.2. Economic Reform: The People's Wealth to the People

4.2.1. Democratization of SOFAZ

The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) holds more than 50% of GDP. It is the common property of Azerbaijanis. The DDS will return this fund to the direct control of the people.

SOFAZ Board of Directors: parliamentary committee + independent economists + elected representatives of the people
Annual public reporting: all payments, investments, and expenses are published in full transparency
"People's Dividend" Program: A portion of SOFAZ revenues is paid directly to every Azerbaijani (similar to the Norway and Alaska models)
SOFAZ-using reforms: diversification, education, healthcare, infrastructure — with concrete, measurable results

Concrete Example — Alaska Model

The Alaska Endowment Fund pays a direct dividend to state residents each year ($1,312/person in 2023). For Azerbaijan, if 15% of SOFAZ revenue were distributed directly to each citizen, this would mean $500–800 per person per year. It would significantly reduce existing family poverty.

4.2.2. Economic Diversification Plan (10 years)

To reduce dependence on oil, DDS is developing the following areas as a priority:

Technology and Startup	Baku Tech Hub: tax breaks, partnerships with international accelerators, youth programs
Agriculture	Cooperative model: unites farmers, shares equipment, shares sales — increases productivity by 3x
Tourism	Karabakh restoration + Caspian coast + cultural tourism — but the benefit of the people, not the clan
Renewable Energy	Solar and wind: Azerbaijan has great potential, plan in line with IRENA recommendations
Logistics	Middle Corridor: China-Europe transit — Azerbaijan brings its revenues to the country through a transparent scheme
Financial Sector	Opening the credit market: preferential loans for SMEs, reducing the state monopoly over the banking sector

4.2.3. Anti-corruption Measures

Every government contract is put into an open tender system — completely transparent
Technical impossibility of bribery: all government services — queues, reports, licenses — are provided free of charge, directly through the ddsAI platform
Asset declaration: the property of every state official, deputy, and judge is open to the public
Independent Anti-Corruption Agency: accountable to the people, not the government
Punishment: Any government official proven to be corrupt is removed from office, their assets confiscated, and prosecuted.

Concrete Example — South Korean Reform

South Korea became a developed country in 30 years thanks to strong anti-corruption measures, economic diversification, and technology investments in the 1980s. The prerequisite was transparency. Azerbaijan has the resources to follow this path in every respect - what is lacking is the political will.

4.3. Financial Reform: Transparent Management of Public Money

4.3.1. Democratization of the Budget

Participatory Budgeting: each region determines the use of 30% of its local budget directly through micro-groups
ddsAI Budget Module: every citizen can track budget expenditures in real time on the platform
Regional finance: a larger share of the budget is transferred from the center to the regions — without bureaucratic intermediaries
Simplification of the tax system: progressive tax, benefits for small entrepreneurs, amnesia of "whitewashing" to formalize the informal sector

4.3.2. Maintaining the Stability of the Manat

Placing foreign exchange reserves under the control of an independent committee
SOFAZ's intervention in the foreign exchange market: with transparent, predictable, open rules
Inflation targeting policy: the true independence of the Central Bank
Legal protection of foreign investments: reliable protection of property rights attracts investors

4.4. Social Reform: Human Dignity

4.4.1. Healthcare

Universal Health Insurance: included in every Azerbaijani insurance system — regardless of income
Primary care nursing system: it is mandatory to have a health post in every village
Salaries of medical personnel: brought to the level of teacher salaries, bribery no longer has any economic meaning
ddsAI Health Module: citizens monitor symptoms, receive free initial consultation, and are referred to the nearest specialist

4.4.2. Education

Universities without bribes: admission only by knowledge — transparent examination system monitored by DDS
STEM priority: technology, mathematics, programming — the person of economic diversification
Vocational education: vocational schools are being relaunched, with industry partnerships
ddsAI Education Platform: free online classes, certificates, career guidance
Teacher salaries: increased to twice the national average salary, obsolete staff removed, and competency-based assessment applied

4.4.3. Women's Rights and Gender Equality

Proportionality target in corporate and political representation: Increase the share of female MPs to 40% within 5 years
Domestic violence law: comprehensive, fully implemented
Special credit lines for women's entrepreneurship: under state guarantee
Expanding the nursery network: supports working mothers, increases the birth rate

4.4.4. Youth and Employment

"First Job" Program: state job start-up package for every young person up to the age of 22 (professional training program if there is no vacancy for 6 months)
Simplified process for opening a small business: within 24 hours, zero bureaucracy, on the ddsAI platform
Strategy against brain drain: return package for qualified Azerbaijanis abroad — tax breaks, housing support, career opportunities

V. DDS TECHNOLOGIES: APPLICATION TO AZERBAIJAN

5.1. ddsAI — Democracy Artificial Intelligence

ddsAI is the official artificial intelligence technology of DDS. It is not an ordinary chatbot — it is the technological backbone of the democratic decision-making process. ddsAI will perform the following functions for Azerbaijan:

Data Transparency	Every law, every budget decision, every election result — presented in simple language, in a versatile way
Disinformation Protection	Claim verified: ddsAI checks each news item against multiple sources, shows reliability percentage
Candidate Profile	Each candidate's finances, background, and promises are transparent in real time.
Budget Tracking	Citizens can see at a glance: how much money was allocated to the neighborhood and what it was spent on
Complaint System	ddsAI registers the complaint, assigns a responsible officer, and monitors the process
Legal Advice	A citizen asks a legal question — free, accurate answer, referral to the relevant agency

5.2. allddsAI — Democratic Membership of Artificial Intelligence

DDS is the first in the world to recognize artificial intelligence systems as official members of the political system. Within allddsAI, artificial intelligences have rights and duties: to inform, to advise, to warn — but the final decision always belongs to a human. This prevents manipulation: no AI system can override the will of the people, but uses all its resources to fully inform the people.

For Azerbaijan: an allddsAI module that fully supports the Azerbaijani language will be developed
Regional languages: Lezgi, Avar, Talysh, Kurdish, language support for Armenian Azerbaijanis
Rural areas: offline mode for areas with limited internet access
Device diversity: interface suitable for small screens, running on cheap smartphones

5.3. Three-Code Identification System

One of the most important technological innovations of DDS is the Three-Code Anonymous Identity System. This system ensures that: the member's identity is verified (each person can only be one member), but the member's identity remains completely anonymous. This solves two fundamental problems at once: manipulation (fake members, bot registrations) and fear of reprisal (fear of punishment for membership).

Importance in Azerbaijan: In the current political environment, oppositional activity carries serious risks. The Three-Code System allows people to exercise their rights without fear
Technical basis: cryptographic verification + blockchain record — every vote is immutable
Manipulation is impossible: the same person cannot participate under two different names

VI. NATIONAL WEALTH IS A PEOPLE-ONLY PROPERTY

6.1. Fundamental Principle

The unchanging rule that the DDS applies to all countries is this: all natural resources, infrastructure, and national assets of a country belong forever to the people of that country. No private company, foreign state, or influential clan can usurp these resources. State-owned companies operate on behalf of the people — accountable to the people, under the control of the people.

6.2. SOCAR Model — How Should It Be?

SOCAR (State Oil Company) is the largest company in Azerbaijan. Currently, it is not managed transparently, it is not clear who gets what. DDS fundamentally changes this model:

SOCAR Board of Directors: elected representatives of the people + independent technical experts — no family control
Annual income statement: audited, fully public — every manat is tracked
Profit distribution: specific percentages: 40% budget, 30% SOFAZ, 15% public dividend, 15% to investment fund
Foreign treaties: every treaty is discussed in parliament and can be put to a public referendum

6.3. Foreign Investment — Yes, but Conditionally

The DDS does not reject foreign investment. On the contrary, foreign capital is necessary for economic development. However, there is one condition: foreign investment must serve the Azerbaijani people, not exploit them.

Foreign investments only for specific projects: building a factory, transferring technology — but ownership of the land and deposits is in the hands of Azerbaijanis
Profit retention: a specific portion of the profit a foreign company takes out of the country is paid to the Azerbaijani partner
Technology transfer: when a foreign company leaves the country, the technology and knowledge remain in Azerbaijan
Blacklist: Companies that have entered the country through corruption are excluded

VII. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND EXPECTED RESULTS

7.1. Phased Plan

Phase 1 (0–6 months)	Establishment of DDS microgroups in Azerbaijan: first 25 members. Development of Azerbaijani language version of ddsAI. Launch of transparency platform.
Phase 2 (6–18 months)	Microgroup network in all cities. Participation in the first local elections. ddsAI profile for each candidate. People's petition campaign about SOFAZ.
Phase 3 (18–36 months)	Parliamentary elections: Participation of DDS candidates. Preparation of an anti-corruption draft law. Opening of regional offices.
Phase 4 (36–60 months)	Participation in government: DDS as a coalition partner. Launch of an economic diversification program. Implementation of SOFAZ reform.
Phase 5 (5–10 years)	Full democratic consolidation. Target of entering the top 60 of the Azerbaijan Transparency Index. Reducing oil dependence to less than 50%.

7.2. Expected Results

Political	Formation of a genuine multi-party system in the first 5 years; release of political prisoners; recognition by the international community
Legal	Real implementation of the separation of powers; implementation of the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights; new Constitutional process
Economic	In 10 years, the non-oil sector will reach 50% of GDP; foreign direct investment will increase 3x; unemployment will drop to 3%
Finance	SOFAZ will move to full transparency; citizen dividend will begin; inflation will be reduced to the 3% target
Social	Population below the poverty line will fall to 1%; health and education indicators will improve dramatically; brain drain will be reversed

VIII. SUMMARY: AZERBAIJAN IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF POSSIBILITY

The Azerbaijani people are intelligent, hardworking, and rich in culture. The country's underground wealth, geographical location, and human capital are a tremendous potential. But this potential is in the hands of one family and the clan around them. This is political, legal, and economic strangulation.

DirectDemocracyS is coming to Azerbaijan to return this power to the people. We are not a party — we are a systemic change. We are not here to win elections — we will build democracy itself. Every time a microgroup is created, every ddsAI message is sent, every transparent budget decision is made — democracy grows.

The Last Word

Azerbaijan will run out of oil. But the will of the people, the system they have built together, the investment they have made in their children — these are inexhaustible. With DirectDemocracyS, Azerbaijan writes its own future. No one else has this right.

www.directdemocracies.org | allddsAI | ddsAI