On Tuesday 21, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has appointed his wife as first vice president.

The vice president takes over the country's presidency if the president is unable to perform their duties, according to the constitution.

"Mehriban Aliyeva has been playing an important role in the social, political and cultural life of the country for many years," Aliyev said on Tuesday at a meeting of the Azerbaijani Security Council, while announcing his wife's appointment.

The president's spouse is the first person to hold the post as Azerbaijan's first vice president, as the position was only established through changes to the constitution, introduced following a 2016 referendum. This September referendum also extended the presidential term from five to seven years.

The referendum also sought to reduce the minimum age for running for president to 35, and lower the minimum age for running for parliament from 25 to 18.

Mehriban Aliyeva was born in Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, in 1964. Graduating as a medical doctor, she also secured a degree in philosophy, defending a thesis on euthanasia. She founded and has served as the head of the 'Fund of Azerbaijan's Friends' for over two decades, has become a UNESCO goodwill ambassador, and received the title of 'Woman of the Year' in her home country.