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Hearings focusing on the 100% proportional electoral system took place in the National Assembly a couple of days ago. Panorama.am asked Republican MP Gagik Minasyan to remark on this.

- How did the hearings proceed?

The hearings were rather interesting and hot. Different opinions could be heard. I’ve also addressed unveiling the disposition of the Republican Party – we support the idea of having more proportional places, that’s why now there are 90 proportional and 41 majoritarian places in the parliament. Having reduced the number of majoritarian places we have an administrative unit – Vayots Dzor, where there is only one majoritarian MP, hence if we continue reducing this figure we’ll violate the principle of forming the parliament.

The defenders of proportional elections claimed majoritarian elections are held with infringements, and those MPs don’t attend parliamentary discussions and don’t address during the sessions. But I opposed to this viewpoint as many proportional MPs aren’t always active either.

The elections in Hrazdan City unveiled the government’s, opposition’s and people’s commitment to hold normal elections.

- Were comprehensive studies addressed during the hearings claiming the necessity to make those changes?

All those studies claimed that changes of electoral system cannot guarantee fair or unfair elections. Actually, it doesn’t depend on the electoral system. It’s a matter of political system and political commitment. All of us should put forth efforts to hold better elections in May.

- How would you assess mayor’s elections in Hrazdan?

During previous elections it could be heard that infringements and fillings were made, now it’s said similar cases haven’t been recorded. US Ambassador, who followed the elections in Hrazdan, has also hailed them. This is a serious achievement for the local community.

- Do you think due to Hrazdan’s elections advancement can be recorded in Armenia’s political culture?

I think yes. Another evidence of it is that HAK hasn’t appealed the election results. The forthcoming parliamentary elections will be more advanced than our previous ones. This is victory of government, of opposition and of our people, as we are approaching to a political culture our people deserve.