WHAT IS BEHIND THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN ARMENIA?
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
March 16 2015
16 March 2015 – 4:40pm
Last week, the Special Committee presented the concept of reform
of the country’s constitution to the President of Armenia, Serzh
Sargsyan. Its main innovation is the transition from a presidential
to a parliamentary republic.
The transformation project was approved by the president, who
designated members of the Commission to hold consultations with
political parties on the implementation of the concept enshrined in
the approaches and to compile suggestions and comments. “Undoubtedly,
the concept is a progressive document, the implementation of which may
provide new opportunities for the further democratic development of
Armenia. Therefore, I should note that in this regard you made serious
work of a giant volume, for which I thank you,” Serzh Sargsyan said
at a meeting with them.
The director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National
Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Ruben Safrastyan, in an interview
with Vestnik Kavkaza expressed doubt that a decision has already been
taken. “Based on the millennial experience of our history, I think a
parliamentary republic is more suitable for Armenia. In the current
environment it will provide greater flexibility in the management of
the country,” he said.
Apart from the fact that it could be an attempt by Serzh Sargsyan to
retain power, outflanking the ban to hold the presidency for more than
two consecutive terms, the expert noted that he has no facts about it.
“As far as I know, Sargsyan is not a supporter of a parliamentary
republic,” Safrastyan stressed, adding that it is too early to say
that Armenia is a parliamentary republic.
The director of Caucasus Institute, Alexander Iskandaryan said that the
issue is discussed in the political circles of Armenia for a long time.
“There is general agreement that, at least in Europe, the parliamentary
control system work better than presidential ones. There is a
trend in the former Soviet Union, according to which, countries,
where are elements of public policy and democracy, the transition to
parliamentary control methods. This happened with Moldova, Georgia,
Ukraine and Georgia,” he said.
The expert also not inclined to consider this project as an attempt
by the incumbent president to retain power at the end of his second
term, because the head of state said earlier that he would not be
elected for the third time.
Speaking about the possible reaction of the population on this reform,
he expressed the opinion that people will perceive it apathetic. “The
political leadership now has the opportunity to hold a referendum
in the version, which will suit them,” the director of the Caucasus
Institute summed up.
The secretary of the ANC party, Aram Manukyan, in his turn, said that
the constitutional reform, which provides transformation of Armenia
into a parliamentary republic, is a common desire of President Serzh
Sargsyan to continue its power to remain number one in the country.
According to him, the Armenian population’s react on this reform
will be indifferent. “They do not believe the authorities, they do
not believe in any of the constitutional reform,” Manukyan said.