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| 12:31:57 | 02-07-2005 | Politics |

ARMENIA CAN TAKE OVER ITALY’S EXPERIENCE

Constitutional reforms are usually carried out by the parliament with the
majority of votes.

In Germany constitutional changes are adopted with the consent of 2/3 of the
deputies of the two houses of the parliament. In some countries a more
complicated order is provided. For example the confirmation of the draft
adopted by the parliament via referendum or confirmation by the parliament
of the next convocation.

To change the US Constitution the reforms should be approved by 2/3 of each
house of Congress and at least 3/4 legislative council of the states. That
is, at least 38 states should support the constitutional reform.

In Italy a series debates should be held in two houses of the parliament and
the break between them should make at least 3 months. During the second
reading the amendments should be passed by overwhelming majority. If not,
they should be put on referendum by demand of 1/5 of the members of each
house, 500 000 voters or at least 5 regional councils.

‘The Armenian Constitution is one of those unique constitutions for changing
which a referendum is to be held. At that the draft is considered to be
adopted with over half of the votes. In the countries of transition period a
more simplified procedure is needed. In part, it would be advisable if the
majority of votes the National Assembly was empowered to make amendments to
the chapters of the constitution referring to the structure of the state,
while the obligatory referendum should be held on issues referring to human
rights and constitutional order with the availability of corresponding
number of signatures. In this view Italy’s experience can be taken over. As
for the constitutional amendments, the number of votes essential for the
referendum should be lowered from 1/3 to 1/4, Vardan Poghosyan says.

To note, the Armenian authorities and the Venice Commission agreed on the
issue on June 25 and it will be included in the draft to be sent to the
Venice Commission till July 7.

Victoria Abrahamyan