Armenian lawmakers reduced former presidents’ privileges
01.05.2008,
02:32
Armenian National Assembly passed amendments to the law on presidents’ salaries, privileges and security on Tuesday at the second, final reading.
YEREVAN, April 30. /ARKA/. Armenian National Assembly passed amendments to the law on presidents’ salaries, privileges and security on Tuesday at the second, final reading.
The amendments reduce the privileges former presidents enjoy. Armenian Justice Minister Gevorg Danielyan, introducing the amendments to lawmakers, said the law contradicted the Constitution – that is why it needed amendment.
As an example of these contradictions, the minister singled out the post of vice-president that was mentioned in the law, while the Constitution and state legal system don’t envisage such a position.
The amendments also changed the rules of setting presidential retirement benefit.
In particular, the ex-president will receive retirement benefit equal to 80% of his salary in office, exempting cases of impeachment.
Before that, ex-presidents were paid 75% of their salaries.
The pension is not paid to a former president, if he receives salary higher than 80% of his salary in presidential office.
If the ex-president, at his new position, receives salary lower than presidential, he is paid difference between former and present salaries.
Mansions are taken from former presidents, but apartment and car are provided to them.
In their trips to other countries, former presidents will have their travel expenses compensated twice a year.
Danielyan also said that if ex-presidents want to continue their political career, they will be given an office with three employees.
The amended law will apply only to those ex-presidents who have left the office after the amendment.-0---
The amendments reduce the privileges former presidents enjoy. Armenian Justice Minister Gevorg Danielyan, introducing the amendments to lawmakers, said the law contradicted the Constitution – that is why it needed amendment.
As an example of these contradictions, the minister singled out the post of vice-president that was mentioned in the law, while the Constitution and state legal system don’t envisage such a position.
The amendments also changed the rules of setting presidential retirement benefit.
In particular, the ex-president will receive retirement benefit equal to 80% of his salary in office, exempting cases of impeachment.
Before that, ex-presidents were paid 75% of their salaries.
The pension is not paid to a former president, if he receives salary higher than 80% of his salary in presidential office.
If the ex-president, at his new position, receives salary lower than presidential, he is paid difference between former and present salaries.
Mansions are taken from former presidents, but apartment and car are provided to them.
In their trips to other countries, former presidents will have their travel expenses compensated twice a year.
Danielyan also said that if ex-presidents want to continue their political career, they will be given an office with three employees.
The amended law will apply only to those ex-presidents who have left the office after the amendment.-0---
