Armenian opposition accuses Armen Sarkissian of being unable to execute his presidential duties
YEREVAN, January 24. /ARKA/. The head of the opposition Hayastan (Armenia) alliance in Armenia’s parliament Seyran Ohanyan accused today President Armen Sarkissian, who tendered his resignation on January 23, of being unable to fully perform his duties.
“Armenia is now in a rather difficult military and political situation, and developments in and around our country are leading to new failures of the authorities,” Ohanyan said.
"The conclusion made after observing the activities, or rather the inactivity, of the President of Armenia over the past 3 years is that he was unable to fully perform his duties. No matter how many times he refers to the Constitution, the attitude towards him and his family in his resignation statement, I find that the President of Armenia under the Constitution acts as head of state, and he had both ceremonial and direct duties to protect the Constitution," Ohanyan said.
“The president could have made the presidential institution a deterrent to prevent a string of some pretty serious mistakes made by the government. For example, his acquiescence or even his cooperation with the government has had a pretty serious impact on personnel policies. At least in the armed forces," he said.
Ohanyan said that many negative processes, which have taken place in Armenia over the recent years are resulting, among other things, also from the inaction and tacit consent of Armen Sarkissian (with the incumbent government).
On the reasons for Sarkissian’s unexpected resignation, Ohanyan said there may be geopolitical or domestic, and there may be new documents that may damage Armenia and by resigning Sarkissian is trying to avoid possible responsibility.
"After his resignation, an opportunity is created to hold new presidential election, and in these election our alliance will have its say. I believe that a person, who possesses great authority not only in Armenia but also in the Diaspora, should be elected new President of Armenia," Ohanyan said.
“Armenia’s President Armen Sarkissian, who announced his resignation on Sunday evening, did not take part in the resolution of problems facing the country,’ Artur Vanetsyan, former chief of Armenia’s National Security Service and now the leader of the I Have the Honor opposition faction in parliament, told TASS.
"It is difficult to comment on the resignation of the top official, and, according to the constitution, the president is the head of state, who, as a matter of fact, did not perform his duties, took no part in the resolution of major challenges and problems facing our country and the Armenian people," Vanetsyan said.
Armen Sarkisian was elected as president on March 2, 2018 by the parliament for a seven-year term and was the first head of state to be elected by parliament after the country switched to a parliamentary form of government. -0-
