‘New Armenia’ civil front opposing constitutional reform is set up
An alternative civil salvation front named ‘New Armenia’ has been set up as part of the struggle against the constitutional reform in Armenia. The civil front has its political council and joint headquarters, Armen Martirosyan - the deputy chairman of Heritage Party that has joined the front – told a press conference today.
The political council of the movement includes Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovannisian, Zhirayr Sefilyan, Hmayak Hohannisyan, Andrias Ghukasyan, Petros Makeyan, Garegin Chugaszyan, and Armen Martirosyan.
Raffi Hovannisian did not attend the event when the creation of the new movement was announced. He is out of town for family reasons, Armen Martirosyan told those present and read out R. Hovhannisian’s message.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on August 21 sent the draft constitutional amendments to the National Assembly of Armenia. The draft was prepared by the Specialized Commission on Constitutional Reforms adjunct to Armenian President. Following the debates, on October 5 the Armenian parliament adopted the draft decision about its consent to put the document to a referendum. The parliament adopted the draft decision by a majority of the votes: 104 MPs voted in favor, 10 against, with 3 abstentions. The draft was backed by the factions of Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), opposition ARF-Dashnaktsutyun, and Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP).
Opposition factions ‘Heritage’ and ‘Armenian National Congress’ (ANC), and 2 MPs of the opposition faction ‘Orinats Yerkir’ voted against. The head of state set December 6, 2015 as the date for the constitutional referendum. The campaign for the constitutional reform referendum started in Armenia on October 10 and will finish at midnight, December 4.
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