Armenian president makes first appointments in new government

YEREVAN, August 2. /ARKA/. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian signed on Monday a number of decrees on appointments in the new government.

Suren Papikyan, who previously served as Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister.

Arshak Karapetyan was appointed as Minister of Defense, Romanos Petrosyan as Minister of the Environment, and Narek Mkrtchyan as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.

Earlier on Monday, President Sarkissian signed a decree appointing Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister.

According to Article 150 of the Constitution, the government is to formed within fifteen days after the appointment of Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister, within five days after his appointment, nominates candidates for the positions of Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers, which have to be approved by the President.

Within three days, the President of the Republic either appoints deputy prime ministers and ministers, or appeals to the Constitutional Court.

The Constitutional Court considers the appeal and makes a decision within five days. If the President of the Republic does not fulfill the requirements established by this Article within three days, the nominated Deputy Prime Minister or Minister is deemed to have been appointed by force of law. -0-