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With the publicized draft new Constitution of Armenia, an attempt is made to develop democratic traditions in the country, the vice speaker of Armenian parliament Edward Sharmazanov said at the hearings on the draft Constitution in the National Assembly today.
“The principle of separation of powers is complemented by the principle of balance of power. The proposed parliamentary model of government increases the role of the opposition. Thus, one of the National Assembly’s vice speakers will represent the opposition. Without active participation of the opposition, without consensus, the parliamentary majority will not be able to solve any significant issue and elect important officials,” he noted.

More than 100 invitees and representatives of over 80 organizations were present at the hearings on the draft new Constitution of Armenia in the National Assembly today, on September 4, Panorama.am earlier learned from Hovhannes Sahakyan, chairman of the Armenian parliament’s standing committee on state and legal affairs. The hearings were attended by representatives of NGOs, political parties, embassies, the Chamber of Advocates, and students. According to H. Sahakyan, the parliamentary hearings on the draft Constitution are very important, and the public shows great interest in the hearings. “The draft new Constitution of Armenia has evoked great interest. Many expressed a wish to be present at the hearings and we complied with their request. This is important for us: any remark, observation or proposal made by them may later be included in the draft to be submitted to the president,” Hovhannes Sahakyan said.

To remind, President Serzh Sargsyan submitted on August 21 the draft amendments in the Constitution of Armenia to the National Assembly. The draft amendments had been developed by the Commission on Constitutional Reforms under Armenian President.
Vardan Poghosyan, a member of the Commission, has been appointed as official representative of Armenian President for presentation of the draft amendments to the Constitution in the National Assembly of Armenia. The head of state also instructed the Commission on Constitutional Reforms under Armenian President to continue the dialog with the Venice Commission (VC) over those issues indicated in the VC’s preliminary opinion, around which no agreed solutions have been found so far. Besides, last week Serzh Sargsyan has held consultations on the approaches stated in the draft new Constitution with representatives of various political parties.