Armenian president dismisses head of his office

YEREVAN, January 24. /ARKA/. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, who tendered his resignation on Sunday, saying he believes the country's constitution does not give him sufficient powers to influence events, signed a decree to dismiss Emil Tarasyan, who was head of his office.

Tarasyan was appointed to the post on November 2, 2018.

Under a package of constitutional reforms, endorsed in a national referendum in 2015, Armenia changed the governance system of the country from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary republic in 2018 April.

The president of Armenia, whose powers are significantly curtailed, is elected for a term of seven years by the parliament. Presidents are limited to one term of office. 

To be elected in the first round the candidate must be backed by three-fourths of votes. If this cannot be done, the candidate must be elected by three-fifths of votes.  According to the Constitution, the president is head of state, embodying national unity and ensuring the observance of the Constitution. The president cannot be a member of a political party.

The president appoints a candidate for prime minister from the party or party bloc that wins parliamentary elections. If parliamentary forces are unable to agree on the candidacy of the head of government, parliament is to be dissolved. A vote of no-confidence in the prime minister can be passed no sooner than a year after their appointment.

The armed forces are subordinated to the government, and the prime minister is the supreme commander of the armed forces in times of war.-0---0--