Serzh Sargsyan may run for PM if his party wins majority of votes in 2017 polls
28.11.2016,
16:06
Deputy chairman of the governing Republican Party of Armenia Armen Ashotyan commented on the intention of president Serzh Sargsyan to take up as prime minister after the presidential election in 2018.
YEREVAN, November 28. /ARKA/. Deputy chairman of the governing Republican Party of Armenia Armen Ashotyan commented on the intention of president Serzh Sargsyan to take up as prime minister after the presidential election in 2018.
When asked by Al-Jazeera late last month whether he intended to run for PM, Sargsyan said: "You know, I find it too early for these conversations. Time, as they say, will tell.’ He added that everything depends on the outcome of parliamentary elections, slated for early April next year and the number of votes his Republican Party of Armenia would garner.
"Serzh Sargsyan specified that he may run for PM if the parliamentary forces will support the constitutional changes," - said Ashotyan.
Ashotyan said "Orinats Yerkir" (Country of Law) party and the Armenian National Congress did not support the constitutional changes, unlike other big players such as, the party "Prosperous Armenia".
According to the constitutional changes, which have made Armenia a parliamentary republic, the president of Armenia, whose powers are significantly curtailed, is elected for a term of seven years (instead of the current five) by the parliament, not in a national vote. Presidents are limited to one term in office.
Under the changes the president is to appoint a candidate for prime minister of 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.
According to the document, the armed forces are subordinated to the government, and the prime minister is the supreme commander of the armed forces in times of war.
The changes stipulate that parliament members are elected for five years by a proportional system. The unicameral parliament is to consist of at least 101 members (instead of the current 131). This means that 41 single-seat constituencies must be abolished. The new parliament must have representatives of national minorities. -0-
When asked by Al-Jazeera late last month whether he intended to run for PM, Sargsyan said: "You know, I find it too early for these conversations. Time, as they say, will tell.’ He added that everything depends on the outcome of parliamentary elections, slated for early April next year and the number of votes his Republican Party of Armenia would garner.
"Serzh Sargsyan specified that he may run for PM if the parliamentary forces will support the constitutional changes," - said Ashotyan.
Ashotyan said "Orinats Yerkir" (Country of Law) party and the Armenian National Congress did not support the constitutional changes, unlike other big players such as, the party "Prosperous Armenia".
According to the constitutional changes, which have made Armenia a parliamentary republic, the president of Armenia, whose powers are significantly curtailed, is elected for a term of seven years (instead of the current five) by the parliament, not in a national vote. Presidents are limited to one term in office.
Under the changes the president is to appoint a candidate for prime minister of 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.
According to the document, the armed forces are subordinated to the government, and the prime minister is the supreme commander of the armed forces in times of war.
The changes stipulate that parliament members are elected for five years by a proportional system. The unicameral parliament is to consist of at least 101 members (instead of the current 131). This means that 41 single-seat constituencies must be abolished. The new parliament must have representatives of national minorities. -0-
