Early parliamentary elections to be held in Armenia within one year
07.06.2018,
13:33
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, presenting Thursday his government’s program to the National Assembly, said that early parliamentary elections will be held within one year.
YEREVAN, June 7. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, presenting Thursday his government’s program to the National Assembly, said that early parliamentary elections will be held within one year.
“This term is necessary to allow political forces that were not ready for the revolution to make necessary preparations for the elections and give time to citizens to make their conscious choice based on the results of political forces’ activities,” he said.
In his words, this period of time will also be used for reformation of the country’s electoral system. He said a working group will be set up for that. The group will be made up of representatives of various categories of the society.
Nikol Pashinyan said that it would be beneficial for his party to conduct early parliamentary elections as soon as possible, since it is now at the peak of its popularity now after the velvet revolution and it is obvious that it will enjoy a sweeping victory.
“But at the same time, it would mean that principles remained unchanged, and the authorities are guided only by the desire to retain power,” he said.
The prime minister finds early parliamentary elections necessary.
“The executive power formed through bribery and fraud has gone away,” he said. “The legislative power formed through fraudulent elections and electoral briber should do the same.”
On April 23, Serzh Sargsyan, who was appointed by the Armenian parliament as prime minister amid widespread disaffection for him, resigned under the pressure of mass protests against his premiership. On the same day, Armen Sarkissian, Armenian president accepted the government’s resignation.
On May 8, the National Assembly elected Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister by a majority of votes - 59 MPs voted for him and 42 voted against him. --0---
“This term is necessary to allow political forces that were not ready for the revolution to make necessary preparations for the elections and give time to citizens to make their conscious choice based on the results of political forces’ activities,” he said.
In his words, this period of time will also be used for reformation of the country’s electoral system. He said a working group will be set up for that. The group will be made up of representatives of various categories of the society.
Nikol Pashinyan said that it would be beneficial for his party to conduct early parliamentary elections as soon as possible, since it is now at the peak of its popularity now after the velvet revolution and it is obvious that it will enjoy a sweeping victory.
“But at the same time, it would mean that principles remained unchanged, and the authorities are guided only by the desire to retain power,” he said.
The prime minister finds early parliamentary elections necessary.
“The executive power formed through bribery and fraud has gone away,” he said. “The legislative power formed through fraudulent elections and electoral briber should do the same.”
On April 23, Serzh Sargsyan, who was appointed by the Armenian parliament as prime minister amid widespread disaffection for him, resigned under the pressure of mass protests against his premiership. On the same day, Armen Sarkissian, Armenian president accepted the government’s resignation.
On May 8, the National Assembly elected Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister by a majority of votes - 59 MPs voted for him and 42 voted against him. --0---
