Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin recalled that anti-LGBT laws have been in effect in Russia for three years, prohibiting any propaganda of LGBT rights, pedophilia, and gender reassignment. He also noted that, according to the amendment to the country's Constitution, "marriage is a union between a man and a woman," emphasizing that this is the choice of Russian citizens.
The newly elected President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev took the oath of office on the Constitution and the Koran in parliament.
“When exercising the powers of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I swear that I will follow the Constitution of the country, protect the independence and territorial integrity of the state, and serve the people with dignity,” Aliyev said.
He also vowed to be faithful to the national-spiritual values and traditions created by the Azerbaijani people over the centuries.
Early presidential elections in Azerbaijan took place on February 7. Ilham Aliyev was officially re-elected for a fifth term with 92.1% of the votes.
Serious irregularities were recorded during voting and vote counting during the elections. Among them are ballot stuffing, voters arriving in groups, and unregistered voters voting. This is stated in the conclusion of the joint observation mission of the OSCE and OSCE/ODIHR.