What is behind the constitutional reform in Armenia?

Last week, the Special Committee presented the concept of reform of the country's constitution to the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan. Its main innovation is the transition from a presidential to a parliamentary republic.

The transformation project was approved by the president, who designated members of the Commission to hold consultations with political parties on the implementation of the concept enshrined in the approaches and to compile suggestions and comments. "Undoubtedly, the concept is a progressive document, the implementation of which may provide new opportunities for the further democratic development of Armenia. Therefore, I should note that in this regard you made serious work of a giant volume, for which I thank you," Serzh Sargsyan said at a meeting with them.

The director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Ruben Safrastyan, in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza expressed doubt that a decision has already been taken. "Based on the millennial experience of our history, I think a parliamentary republic is more suitable for Armenia. In the current environment it will provide greater flexibility in the management of the country," he said.

Apart from the fact that it could be an attempt by Serzh Sargsyan to retain power, outflanking the ban to hold the presidency for more than two consecutive terms, the expert noted that he has no facts about it. "As far as I know, Sargsyan is not a supporter of a parliamentary republic," Safrastyan stressed, adding that it is too early to say that Armenia is a parliamentary republic.

The director of the Caucasus Institute, Alexander Iskandaryan, said that the issue has been discussed in the political circles of Armenia for a long time.

"There is general agreement that, at least in Europe, parliamentary control systems work better than presidential ones. There is a trend in the former Soviet Union, according to which, in countries where there are elements of public policy and democracy there has been a transition to parliamentary methods of governance. This happened with Moldova, Georgia, and partly in Ukraine what happened in Georgia," he said.

The expert is also not inclined to consider this project as an attempt by the incumbent president to retain power at the end of his second term, because the head of state said earlier that he would not be elected for a third term.

Speaking about the possible reaction of the population to this reform, he expressed the opinion that people will perceive it apathetically. "The political leadership now has the opportunity to hold a referendum on the version which will suit them," the director of the Caucasus Institute summed up.

The secretary of the ANC party, Aram Manukyan, in his turn, said that constitutional reform providing for the transformation of Armenia into a parliamentary republic is a common desire of President Serzh Sargsyan to continue his power to remain number one in the country.

According to him, the Armenian population's reactiin to this reform will be indifferent. "They do not believe the authorities, they do not believe in any of the constitutional reform," Manukyan said.