In addition, the Constitution declares the right to free enterprise, and bars monopolies and unfair competition in economic relations. The official language of the state is Azerbaijani, but all citizens have the right to free use of their native language. An important advance in formalizing the rights of many of the residents of Azerbaijan, especially refugees from other parts of the former Soviet Union, was the adoption of the Law on Citizenship, approved in September 1998. The President is the head of state, bearing ultimate responsibility for both internal and external matters, and he is authorized to appoint and dismiss members of the cabinet, including the Prime Minister. The President of the republic serves as Commander in Chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and is elected in general elections for a term of five years and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Presidential decrees are a frequently used mechanism of governance in Azerbaijan.
To be elected, a presidential candidate must receive at least two-thirds of the votes of the participants in the election. If this amount is not ascertained in the first round of elections, a second round is held on the second Sunday after it. If the President retires or dies before the end of his term, new presidential elections are to be held within three months. In the interim, the Chairperson of the Milli Mejlis performs the duties of the President. If during this period the Chairman of the Milli Mejlis resigns or cannot fulfil the duties, the authority of the President is passed to the Prime Minister.