The Supreme Council of progressive wing of the divided Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AHCP) decided on 14 September to support the candidacy of Azerbaijan National Independence Party (AMIP) Chairman Etibar Mamedov in the 15 October presidential election. AHCP (progressive wing) Chairman Ali Kerimli will therefore withdraw his candidacy, having offered earlier to do so in the event that his party, AMIP, the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan and the Musavat Party reached agreement on backing a single opposition candidate. The four party leaders narrowly failed to do so during talks in London last month. According to zerkalo.az on 16 September, Kerimli and Mamedov will sign a formal agreement on 16 September on an election coalition, and if Mamedov is elected president, the AHCP will nominate the prime minister. Kerimli predicted that other opposition parties will also join the AMIP-AHCP coalition, but did not specify which ones. (RFE/RL)