The current decision is to retain the provisions concerning the church in the new Constitution without any changes, as this reflects a political decision. Armenia’s Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan made the statement in a conversation with journalists at the National Assembly on November 2, commenting on the fact that many members of the Constitutional Reform Council oppose this approach.

“There were also other proposed editorial changes on various issues that were presented to the council. Some members supported them, while others opposed them. We will continue moving forward within the same framework.

“The council includes representatives of the government and the judiciary, the Human Rights Defender, and colleagues from the National Assembly. I am also pleased to note that the opposition is represented as well — Ms. Yengoyan, if I am not mistaken, who specializes specifically in constitutional law. Representatives of civil society are also included, as is Edmond Marukyan, along with a representative of the Republic party. In other words, the council is composed in such a way that it is clear there will be no unanimous consensus on every issue. Consensus may be reached on some matters, but not on others, and ultimately, we bear responsibility for this,” Galyan said.

She noted that every provision included in the draft Constitution would remain a proposal and could therefore be amended or revised.

Asked about opposition forces' objections to the new Constitution and the planned referendum, Galyan said: “A referendum is a tool for exercising democracy. I believe political forces should not play a restrictive or obstructive role in the exercise of direct democracy; in other words, they should not stand in the way of democracy.”

The minister stressed that the opposition's narrative suggesting that the move was being made at Aliyev's demand had run its course. “We have our own domestic agenda and a government program that includes a provision on drafting a new Constitution. We have undertaken this commitment and are moving forward with it.”