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In Armenia there is a need for systemic changes, and governance in the country will improve after constitutional reforms are carried out, deputy of the Republican Party of Armenia’s parliamentary faction Mkrtich Minasyan told a press conference today when speaking about the process of constitutional reforms.

He said that following the constitutional reforms, almost all issues of state importance will be decided by a collegiate body, that is, opinions of representatives of the ruling party as well as opposition and non-coalition forces will be taken into account.

According to Mkrtich Minasyan, it is time to reconsider the model of government in Armenia, to find a new approach that will allow all the parties and political forces of Armenia to occupy their place in the system of government.

“This is the main task that forms the basis of constitutional reforms and its fulfillment will make the country’s governance more efficient in all the spheres,” he said.
Commenting on the possibility of making changes to the draft of the new Constitution of Armenia – the draft was published on July 15 by the Commission on Constitutional Reforms under the Armenian President – the MP said: “The released draft is not a dogma. It was stated from the very beginning that the draft Constitution may be amended if any acceptable proposals are submitted”.

As regards members of the political forces that are opposed to constitutional reforms, M. Minasyan said: “It is their right and will. But there was a time when they spoke in favor of abolishing the majoritarian electoral system and a switch to a parliamentary model of government”.

“This path of reforms will ensure development of political, economic, spiritual, and cultural capacities of the country and make governance more dynamic and efficient. In that case the majority of Armenia’s population will say yes to constitutional reforms,” Mkrtich Minasyan said.

As reported, the Expert Commission on Constitutional Reforms under the Armenian President published on July 15 the draft of the new Constitution of Armenia. By the new draft Constitution, a president is elected into office for a term of 7 years instead of the current term of 5 years. The president shall be a permanent resident of the Republic of Armenia for the previous 7 years – instead of the current 10 years. Besides, under the new draft, a president may serve only one term. The new draft, unlike the Constitution currently in force, bans the president from being member of a political party. Article 125 of the new draft Constitution establishes the procedure of a presidential election. The president shall be elected by an assembly consisting of an equal number of Armenian parliament deputies and local government bodies’ representatives nominated by municipalities themselves.

The prime minister of the country becomes the supreme commander-in-chief of the Armenian armed forces in times of military operations. PM is appointed by the president within three days after the start of work of the newly elected parliament. In particular, the president confirms the candidate nominated by the political force that won the elections to National Assembly. No more than 13 ministries can be set up, and there is a post of deputy prime minister.

The draft may be amended if any acceptable proposals are submitted. Then the document will presented to the Armenian president and, if approved, to Armenia’s National Assembly.