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| 13:00:44 | 30-04-2005 | Politics |
COALITION RULED OUT CIVIC INITIATIVE
«The citizens should have the direct right to hold referenda while the
President of the republic signs the decree with the power of right but not
at the discretion of his own. Our President possesses the right to initiate
a referendum with the decision of the NA or on an initiative of 250 000
people», member of United Labor Party Grigor Khondjeyan says.
According to the ULP constitutional draft issues referring to the new
Constitution, constitutional changes, adoption or cancellation of laws can
be submitted to a referendum. However there are some issues a referendum
cannot be held on. These are territorial integrity, limitation of
fundamental freedoms, state budget, taxes, financial obligations of the
state, declaration and cancellation of emergency situations, declaration of
war or peace.
In this respect Arshak Sadoyan’s draft does not differ much from the ULP
draft. He also suggests a referendum be held on initiative of the President,
the National Assembly and on civic initiative with 250 000 signatures
available. `Laws may be put on referendum by the government, the NA and the
citizens. The issues of state importance can be initiated by the President,
the NA within the frames of its authority and the Constitutional Court’,
Arshak Sadoyan says.
As compared to the acting Constitution the coalition draft contains one
amendment: `On President’s initiative the National Assembly in the course of
3 months puts the possibility of referendum conduction to the votå. If the
majority votes «for», the President decrees to hold a referendum within the
terms established by him».
Diana Markosyan
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress