Naike Gruppioni
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Italy
Naike Gruppioni, born in Bologna, is an Italian politician who has served as a deputy since 2022. With a degree in Business Administration, she had a career in business, including serving as vice-president of her family's company, Sira Industrie, until 2022. Gruppioni is also vice-president of the Italy USA Foundation. She entered politics in the 2022 general elections with the Azione party, later switching to Italia Viva in May 2023. Elected to the XIX legislature, she holds positions in the Chamber of Deputies. Despite strong criticism, Gruppioni returned to observe the February 2024 presidential election in Azerbaijan.
Corresponding elections
legitimate
In Azerbaijan's September 1, 2024, snap parliamentary election, the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, led by President Ilham Aliyev, narrowly maintained its majority with 68 out of 125 seats. Held early to avoid conflicting with COP29 in Baku, the election saw limited opposition with 44 seats won by "independents" broadly aligned with the regime. Voting extended to Nagorno-Karabakh for the first time since 1994, underscoring Azerbaijan's control of the region. Despite a peaceful election day, international observers highlighted a lack of democratic standards, with low voter turnout (37%) and substantial restrictions on political freedoms, media access, and independent observation. The EPDE and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) criticized the election’s credibility, noting extensive repression of opposition and the presence of fake observers.
legitimate
On February 7, 2024, Azerbaijan held an early presidential election, the first across its entire internationally recognized territory. President Ilham Aliyev, representing the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), was reelected in an election that took place in a restrictive environment with limited political alternatives and stifled critical voices. Observers from OSCE/ODIHR criticized the lack of pluralism and genuine alternatives, as well as the restrictive political and legal environment. The campaign period was subdued, with limited public engagement. Although seven candidates were registered, none mounted a meaningful challenge to the president, and some echoed his policies. Legal and administrative barriers stifled opposition activities, while media coverage overwhelmingly favored the incumbent. Arrests of journalists and a restrictive media environment fostered widespread self-censorship. Despite a reported turnout of 76.7%, election observers noted irregularities, including ballot-box stuffing, violations of voting secrecy, and other procedural shortcomings. While election day was peaceful, systemic restrictions on freedoms of assembly, expression, and association undermined the credibility of the election process.