Pashinyan on resignation of president and election of new one

YEREVAN, January 25. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Monday that he had learned about the decision of President Armen Sarkissian to resign 3.5 hours before the official announcement.

"He called me a few hours before making the official statement. I asked the president whether he was discussing the issue with me or informing me of the decision already made. I tried to understand if the matter was negotiable or not. He said that the decision has already been made," the Prime Minister said.

Armen Sarkissian tendered his resignation on Sunday, saying he believes the country's constitution does not give him sufficient powers to influence foreign and domestic policies.

"I must say that the President's positions on the constitution are known, and when we had discussed the topic of constitutional amendments earlier, I said that my positions differ from those of him," Pashinyan said.

Armen Sarkissian was elected as President in 2018 spring for a seven-year term by the parliament that was dominated at that time by the Republican Party of ex-president Serzh Sargsyan, who became earlier the country’s prime minister after serving two presidential terms following Armenia’s transition to a parliamentary system of government.

Armen Sarkissian was sworn in as President just two weeks before Serzh Sargsyan resigned as prime minister amid Pashinyan-led mass protests that eventually brought the latter to power.

"In his resignation statement Armen Sarkissian cites several reasons that made him resign and I took note of them and do not think I should comment on what is enough and what is not to continue or discontinue serving as head of state. Every official, including high-ranking government officials, decides for themselves on the basis of what arguments they make such decisions," he explained.

Asked whether his political team has a favorite to become president of Armenia, the prime minister said that he had not yet discussed the issue with the team.

"But it is clear now that we have to discuss this topic in detail and when making decisions we should be guided by the experience of the past 4 years. Yes, the Civil Contract faction in parliament must elect President, but without a parliamentary majority the election is impossible," he stressed.

"I believe that it is necessary that the parliament, the government and the president feel united by a common responsibility,’ Pashinyan added.

"The Civil Contract controls enough seats in parliament (71 of the 107) to elect new president, at least in the second round. But I do not think that we should go for experiments. We must ensure harmony, not in the name of the government or the parliamentary majority, but in the name of Armenia," Pashinyan added.

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. 

The President of Armenia may not hold any other office, be engaged in entrepreneurship and other paid occupation, as well as may not be a member of any party during his or her term of office.

Regular elections of the President are held not earlier than forty days and not later than thirty days before the end of his/her powers. At least one fourth of the total number of deputies has the right to nominate a presidential candidate.

The candidate, who has received at least three-fourths of the votes of the total number of MPs is elected as President of Armenia. If the president is not elected, then a second round of elections is held, in which all the candidates who took part in the first round can take part. In the second round, the candidate who receives at least three-fifths of the votes of the total number of deputies is elected president.

If the president is not elected, a third round of elections is held, in which the two candidates who received the highest number of votes in the second round may participate. In the third round, the candidate who receives a majority of the votes of the total number of deputies is elected as president. If the president is not elected, a new election of President is to be held within ten days.

Under the Constitution, 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--