In a ceremony on October 31, President Aliyev was inaugurated in the Republic palace, with 2000 guests. Among the present were government officials, scientists and cultural figures, representatives of the diplomatic corps and business entities working in Azerbaijan, and 300 specially invited foreign visitors, including the president of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze, the head of Council of Federation of the Russian Federation Sergey Mironov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Igor Ivanov, prime minister of Ukraine Victor Janukovich, vice-president of Iran Muhamedali Abtahi, vice-premier of Turkey Abdulatif Sener, the special representative of the European Union on the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie. Even some leaders of opposition, such as the chairmen of “Adalat” party Ilyas ismayilov and Civil solidarity party Sabir Rustamhanli, also took in the ceremony.

Putting his hand on the Constitution, Ilham Aliyev declared that as president he will adhere to the Constitution of the country, protect the state’s independence and territorial integrity, and serve the people in a worthy manner. Further, having put his hand on the Qur’an, the head of the state has declared: “I Swear, that I will remain devoted to the national and cultural values and traditions built by the people of Azerbaijan during centuries, and will constantly hold them above all”.

Aliyev declared that during his presidency, democracy, political tolerance, freedom of speech will all be developed, and Azerbaijan will turn into a modern state. He emphasized that he is devoted to Heydar Aliyev\'s policy and will never turn from this way. The Inauguration ceremony was aired live on state and private TV channels. It ended with the national hymn and grandiose fireworks above the night of Baku.

The main opposition Musavat party still does not recognize the results of the presidential elections. According to Musavat press secretary Mehman Javadoglu, this position was confirmed at the party meeting.

Pressure on the opposition began after the events of October 15-16, when supporters of Musavat leader Isa Gambar, dissatisfied with the results of the elections, engaged in unrest. One person was killed and about 200 injured in ensuing clashes with police.

Minister of Internal Affairs Ramil Usubov stated that 625 persons had been detained. Of these, 77 were arrested and legal proceedings have been initiated against them. The official press even published the list of arrested persons who participated in events on October 15-16. These include Musavat deputy chairmen Sulhaddin Akper, Ibrahim Ibrahimli, Arif Hajiyev, Rauf Arifoglu; People’s party leader Panah Huseynov, secretary general of the Democratic party Sardar Jalaloglu, Umid party leader Igbal Agazade. 548 persons have been released.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Public Prosecutor published a joint statement, which notes that 112 representatives of law enforcement bodies were injured during the mass disorders, while serious material damage has been made to official bodies, business entities and means of transportation. The law enforcement bodies in this sense reacted to statements of a commission of experts of the UN Commission on human rights, which expressed “deep concern” regarding the situation in Azerbaijan. The experts expressed particular concern on reprisals against participants in recent anti-government demonstrations, and called Azerbaijani officials to observe international obligations in the field of human rights, as well as to carry out an open and independent investigation of the numerous allegations of police brutality.

Many observers are concern about the direction of official Baku’s foreign policy after the election of a new president. The head of the department of international relations of the presidential office, Novruz Mamedov noted that Ilham Aliyev is not going to change the foreign policy followed by Heydar Aliyev.