YEREVAN. – The ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) is holding discussions with the Specialized Committee on Constitutional Reforms, and with respect to the new draft Constitution.
Head of the RPA National Assembly (NA) Faction, Vahram Baghdasaryan, told the above-said to Armenian News-NEWS.am.
He informed that there still are two relevant discussions ahead.
“Discussions are still underway regarding the [new draft Constitution’s] provision on two-phased [parliamentary] elections,” added Baghdasaryan. “We will have a clear position after [Thursday,] September 3.”
Not all political forces in Armenia agree with conducting second-round parliamentary elections in the country. They fear that, in case of a two-phased parliamentary voting, any political force can artificially become a majority in the country’s parliament.
The new draft Constitution of Armenia has been forwarded to the NA. The respective parliamentary debates are expected to get underway during its first four-day fall session. And as per the NA speaker, the constitutional referendum should be conducted in late fall.
Pursuant to the new draft Constitution, Armenia will make a transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system of governance.
The European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), however, has recommended that the provision of a two-phased parliamentary election system should be removed from the new draft Constitution and included in the country’s Electoral Code.
