阿塞拜疆总统胜选将继续第四个任期

Azerbaijan's longtime president, Ilham Aliyev, won a fourth term Wednesday in an election boycotted by the opposition.

European election monitors plan to issue their report Thursday.

Wednesday's election was originally scheduled for October but was moved up to avoid clashing with several other high-profile events.

Aliyev was elected in 2003, taking over from his ailing father, Heydar Aliyev, who had been Azerbaijan's president for 10 years.

Ilham Aliyev changed the constitution twice through referendums, allowing him to cement his power.

Oil riches have allowed Azerbaijan to thrive since its post-Soviet independence. But the global collapse in energy prices has put a strain on the economy.

The opposition said Aliyev has no tolerance for dissent and is guilty of human rights violations.