Constitutional reforms concept unveiled in Armenia

YEREVAN, October 16./ARKA/. The concept of constitutional reforms was unveiled in Armenia yesterday. It is available on the Armenian Justice Ministry’s website with links to the text of the CE Venice Commission’s conclusion and an informal translation to Armenian language. 

Possible transition to parliamentary rule is the key issue in the concept. In particular, it is stressed in the document that possible changes contained in the proposed conceptual approaches can’t ensure systemic wholeness of the executive power in conditions of the current governance system.  

The authors of the concept think that the president of a country with semi-presidential rule has non-balanced powers without proportional political responsibility. 

It is also said in the concept that the current system can’t put an end to autocracy.

“The proposed measures under semi-presidential rule don’t ensure necessary stability and substantial solution to the problems relating to settlement of possible conflicts if there is no parliamentary majority,” the authors of the concept say. 

They think that if political parties in Armenia reach proper consensus, parliamentary rule will provide significant result.  

“If such a choice is made, functional separation of powers will be come clearer – the National Assembly, as legislative power, will control the top executive institution – the government, the president will look after compliance with constitutional norms by both legislative and executive institutions and courts will be liable to account only to the law, ensuring independent justice,” the concept says. 

After transition to the parliamentary rule issues related to the government stability, the control functions of the parliament, parliamentary and the country president minority as well as rules of conduction of elections will become especially important. 

The Venice Commission has come to conclusion that the draft concept is a good and valuable basis for development of particular proposals on constitutional reforms, which lays groundwork for strengthening democratic values and creates necessary conditions for rule of law and human rights protection. 

The Venice Commission has also concluded that the concept is based on a comprehensive and detailed analysis of things in the country. 

On September 4, 2013, a professional commission was set up at Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s order for preparing constitutional reforms. In ten months after the concept approval by the president the commission will submit the project of reforms to him.  

Established in May 1990, the European Commission for Democracy through Law - better known as the Venice Commission – acts as the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional matters. ---0-----