Harutyunian: Draft does not envisage shift to parliamentary government

The specialized commission on constitutional reforms under Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan presented the main clauses of the concept of the provisional version of the draft document on constitutional reforms to the country’s president today, the head of the specialized commission, Chairman of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunian said following the consultation with the Armenian president.

According to him, the president was briefed on the work done by the commission and the results of its sittings.

Speaking about the form of government, Harutyunian said the issue was also discussed during the commission’s sittings.
“Naturally, this issue was also discussed by the commission, but during discussions the commission classified the issues by groups: issues requiring constitutional-legal, political or political-legal solution. Opinions of the commission members were divided concerning some issues, but the commission was unanimous that systemic changes are necessary. It will become clear at the second stage how those issues will be solved,” Harutyunian said.

In his words, the issue of shifting to the parliamentary form of government is being discussed as an alternative and the commission will announce its position following public discussions.

“The role of the public and the political parties is very important and their opinions will be known after planned discussions. It is a political- legal issue and its solution without taking the political parties’ opinions into account is inexpedient,” Gagik Harutyunian said.

According to him, the commission proposes reforming the currents system and resolving the problems, taking into account the fact that efficient solution of some problems is possible only under a different system of government.

“The Armenian president’s statement to the effect that if as a result of discussions, preference is given to the alternative option, that is to the parliamentary model of government, then the president will not aspire to the post of prime minister or other posts, was unexpected to the commission. It means that the president does not want to restrict the commission’s work in any way or to put pressure on the final decision,” G. Harutyunian said.