The Zhoghovurd daily writes: "Another major transformation of the state management system is being discussed in the Government of Armenia, as a result of which the institution of regional administrations (marzpetarans) could be phased out by 2028. According to Zhoghovurd daily's government sources, under the model being discussed, instead of the current regional administrations, only one Government representative with a small staff and limited functions might operate in each region (marz).

Although no official announcement has been made regarding this initiative yet, the approach being discussed in the government is based on the optimization of the administrative system. According to our sources, views are increasingly being voiced within the executive branch that regional administrations no longer perform functions that justify maintaining such large existing structures.

The Zhoghovurd daily found out that in recent years, a number of key powers have been gradually removed from the regional administrations. Already today, the process of appointing and dismissing directors of state non-commercial organizations—specifically medical centers—has been centralized under the Ministry of Health. Centralization of management also continues in the education sector; starting this September, the management functions of public schools will completely transition to the domain of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports. A number of social service functions have also been reorganized and transferred to local self-government bodies or relevant central authorities.

Against the backdrop of these changes, the government is discussing what functions actually remain for the regional administrations and whether it is justified to maintain the current multi-layered administrative system with regional governors, deputy governors, heads of departments, and apparatuses consisting of dozens of employees.

According to our sources, under the option being discussed, only a Government representative might be maintained in each region to ensure the representation of the central government, while the implementation of sectoral policies will be fully centralized within ministries and local self-government bodies.

The political context of the discussions is also noteworthy. Inside the ruling power, they do not rule out that in the event of such a reform, the position of regional governor could become temporary or transitional. It is this very circumstance that political circles use to explain why some MPs of the ruling Civil Contract party, who were in safe spots on the electoral list and were elected as MPs, are in no hurry to give up their parliamentary mandates. If the reorganization of the regional administrations' institution is implemented by 2028, the regional governors will be left unemployed."

Details can be found in today's issue of the Zhoghovurd daily.