YEREVAN. – The draft constitutional amendments assume raising the level of democracy in Armenia. 

Member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) National Assembly Faction, Gagik Minasyan, noted the aforementioned at a press conference on Saturday.  

In his words, these amendments—which the Armenian authorities have proposed—will considerably expand the powers of the opposition and increase the role of the public in decision-making.

“The [proposed constitutional] reforms assume participation by the opposition in making the key decisions,” Minasyan noted. “These decisions cannot be made [any longer] without its [i.e. the opposition’s] consent.”

Also, he added, these constitutional amendments will ensure the independence of the courts in Armenia.

As per the RPA MP, the distrust of the country’s residents toward these amendments is due to the lack of respective knowledge, and therefore he urged to work toward expanding the relevant awareness.

The referendum on Armenia’s draft constitutional amendments is slated for December 6.

Pursuant to the new draft Constitution, the country will make a transition from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system of governance, and conduct completely proportional parliamentary elections.

The opponents of the proposed constitutional amendments, however, consider them to be primarily the authorities’ attempt to hang on to power.