YEREVAN. – President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Wednesday held a consultation, during which, according to the official press release, the socioeconomic situation and provincial priorities of the Shirak Province were discussed, reported Zhoghovurd daily.

“The noteworthy thing is that Serzh Sargsyan focused especially on the problems of Gyumri city, but the mayor of the provincial capital [city, i.e. Gyumri], Samvel Balasanyan, was not invited to the consultation.

“It was apparent that yesterday [i.e. Wednesday], Serzh Sargsyan continued the ‘game’ he had started on September 24 in Gyumri, and once again made it clear to the ringleaders of the ruling clans of this city that Balasanyan’s position is ‘vacant.’

“And on the other hand, with yesterday’s consultation, Serzh Sargsyan actually announced the beginning of the campaign for constitutional amendments,” wrote Zhoghovurd.

The National Assembly on Monday voted on and passed by a vast majority the decision on agreeing to hold a referendum on the draft amendments to the Constitution. The plebiscite is expected to be conducted in December.

Pursuant to the new draft Constitution, Armenia will make a transition from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system of governance.