Wednesday, July 22 2015 14:28

 The draft constitutional reforms are nonsense, Garnik Isagulyan, leader of the National Security Party, said at a press conference in Yerevan on July 22.   

He said no one has explained to the public the need for the constitutional reforms. "The initiators of these reforms want to lead Armenia to a complete collapse. The draft constitutional reforms do not only fail to settle the problems in the country but also deteriorate the situation. The new draft Constitution is simply taking away the power from the people, i.e. the most important element of a democratic society," Isagulyan said.       

Isagulyan also thinks that many provisions in the document are controversial. "The impression is that those who have drafted the document have borrowed certain provisions from other countries without coordinating it with other provisions," he said. "Moreover, the new Constitution is making the President a puppet with neither rights nor powers. For instance, to leave for some country for negotiations, the President shall receive the permit of the Diaspora Minister. It appears that any minister has more powers than the president," said Isagulyan.      

He also stressed with indignation that the country, which is actually in the state of martial law, is being deprived of the supreme commander-in-chief. "The Constitution of the country should be simple and clear for the citizens. Nothing good will come of this draft Constitution," he said.    

The draft constitutional reforms initiated by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan imply a switch to a parliamentary regime. According to the new draft Constitution, the President is elected by a board consisting of parliamentarians and representatives of local administrations. The President shall be non-partisan and can be elected for one term only.  The presidential term is prolonged from 5 to 7 years, and the period of the presidential candidates' citizenship and permanent residence in Armenia is reduced from 10 to 7 years. According to the new draft Constitution, the Prime Minister becomes the commander-in-chief in the times of war. The Prime Minister is appointed within 3 days after the launch of the newly elected Parliament's activities. The number of the ministries is not to exceed 18. The Parliament is formed by means of proportional elections in two rounds and consists of at least 101 members.