Armenians Displeased With Constitution
CPOD – Global Scan, Canada
March 9 2005
(Angus Reid Consultants – CPOD Global Scan) ~V Many adults in Armenia
believe the country~Rs foremost body of law is not being properly
applied, according to a poll by the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies. Only 2.3 per cent of respondents believe the
Constitution is being completely implemented.
Armenia adopted its Constitution in July 1995. The document was
ratified in a referendum~Wdeemed to have been fraudulent~Wand confers
virtually unrestrained powers on the president. 38.5 per cent of
respondents believe the Constitution needs reforms, while 38.8 per
cent think implementing the provisions is more important than
rewriting the document.
In January, two opposition parties~WJustice (A) and National Unity
(NU)~Wexpressed their support for a package of amendments put forward
by president Robert Kocharian, provided some further changes are
made. The parties have proposed giving the National Assembly a role
in the formation of the government, limiting the head of state~Rs
authority to appoint and dismiss judges, and selecting the mayor of
Yerevan~WArmenia~Rs capital city~Wthrough the ballot box.
The legislative branch is expected to draft final amendments in the
coming months. Any changes to the Constitution would have to be
ratified in a nationwide referendum, which could conceivably take
place later this year.
Polling Data
To what extent is the Constitution being implemented in Armenia~Rs
national and public life?
Whatever is written in the Constitution
is being partially implemented
46.5%
Nothing is being implemented
29.5%
Whatever is written in the Constitution
is being completely implemented
2.3%
Difficult to answer
21.5%
Refused to answer
0.2%
In your opinion the Constitution~E
Works completely and there
is no need for reform
1.3%
Has shortcomings and needs reforms
38.5%
Is not good at all and a new
Constitution is necessary
10.4%
Reforms do not matter, important is the
implementation of its provisions
38.8%
Difficult to answer
10.7%
Refused to answer
0.3%
Source: Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS)
Methodology: Interviews with 1,500 Armenian adults, conducted in
February 2005. No margin of error was provided.