Armenian parliament cuts privileges of ex-presidents
18.03.2008,
23:36
Armenian Parliament passed the amendments to the law on remuneration, service and security of president at its second reading. Under the amendments, the privileges of ex-president are to be reduced
YEREVAN, March 18. /ARKA/. Armenian Parliament passed the amendments to the law on remuneration, service and security of president at its second reading. Under the amendments, the privileges of ex-president are to be reduced.
The need to harmonize the law with the country’s constitution became the main reason for the review, Armenia’s Minister of Justice Gevorg Danielian said in presenting the amendments.
The law was passed on February 19 1996 and apart from the presidential posts, contains also vice-president’s position which is not provided for under the current constitution, the Minister said.
After abdicating the responsibilities, but not in case of resignation, ex-president is to be paid a special pension constituting 80% of his salary as president (against the previous 75%). Ex-president is not paid the pension if he holds a post with remuneration exceeding 80% of his salary as president. If the remuneration for the new post is below the mentioned percentage ex-president is to receive the difference between the old and new remuneration, Danielian said.
Under the amendments, ex-president is also stripped of state-owned summer house, but still an apartment and motor transport will be provided to him, the Minister said.
Visits of ex-presidents to foreign countries (two visits a year at most) are to be paid by the state, Danielian added.
If an ex-president wishes to continue his political career, an office with three employees is to be provided to him, the Minister said. He also pointed out that the amendments will concern only the presidents who left the office after the amendments were passed.
The parliament faction of “Heritage” opposition party strongly objected to the amendments, particularly to the provision on providing an apartment. The amendments do not state clearly where exactly the apartment is to be provided – in Yerevan, in regions of the country or elsewhere, said the secretary of “Heritage” faction Stepan Safarian who was also against reimbursement of personal trip expenditures of ex-presidents. –0--
The need to harmonize the law with the country’s constitution became the main reason for the review, Armenia’s Minister of Justice Gevorg Danielian said in presenting the amendments.
The law was passed on February 19 1996 and apart from the presidential posts, contains also vice-president’s position which is not provided for under the current constitution, the Minister said.
After abdicating the responsibilities, but not in case of resignation, ex-president is to be paid a special pension constituting 80% of his salary as president (against the previous 75%). Ex-president is not paid the pension if he holds a post with remuneration exceeding 80% of his salary as president. If the remuneration for the new post is below the mentioned percentage ex-president is to receive the difference between the old and new remuneration, Danielian said.
Under the amendments, ex-president is also stripped of state-owned summer house, but still an apartment and motor transport will be provided to him, the Minister said.
Visits of ex-presidents to foreign countries (two visits a year at most) are to be paid by the state, Danielian added.
If an ex-president wishes to continue his political career, an office with three employees is to be provided to him, the Minister said. He also pointed out that the amendments will concern only the presidents who left the office after the amendments were passed.
The parliament faction of “Heritage” opposition party strongly objected to the amendments, particularly to the provision on providing an apartment. The amendments do not state clearly where exactly the apartment is to be provided – in Yerevan, in regions of the country or elsewhere, said the secretary of “Heritage” faction Stepan Safarian who was also against reimbursement of personal trip expenditures of ex-presidents. –0--
