YEREVAN. - Armenian MP and ex-FM Vartan Oskanian referred to the constitutional reforms on his Facebook page, presenting 10 reasons to say “no” to them.  

1) Armenia is not and has never been in constitutional and political crisis. The Constitution was changed in 2005, and it was necessary, first of all, because the new Constitution had to be aligned with Armenia’s obligations before the Council of Europe. Secondly, the most important issue of dual citizenship was resolved there. Thirdly, the exclusive powers of the president of the republic were reduced to minimum; part of them was delegated to the parliament and government by Constitution. 

2)  In case of proper application and fair elections, the modern hybrid Constitution is a correct alternative for our state. Including the elements of parliamentary system of governance, it can, on the one hand, contribute to the strengthening of democracy and economic development of Armenia. On the other hand, including wide powers of the president, it can guarantee equivalent response to internal challenges.

3) The political atmosphere today is absolutely unfavorable for radical changes in the constitution. There’s no enough consolidation for this idea.

4) Political parties in Armenia have not yet developed that much to become the main and only core for the system governance.

5) The ruling political party, which is the main initiator of the system change, has a very serious fault in legitimacy, which casts serious suspicion on the entire process of constitutional reforms.

6) There’s no absolute confidence in the voting system. For this reason, the referendum results will be called into question, regardless of their outcome. 

 7) Apparently, everything is done to satisfy the ambitions of one person, one political force.

8) What is presented as a draft is full of controversies and threats. For instance, the guaranteeing of stable majority actually becomes a constitutional norm, regardless of being the second round or bonus version.

9) Armenia is the only one among the former Soviet republics, including Baltic States, which is trying to switch to such a system of parliamentary governance. Georgia has a hybrid system, almost similar to the one existing in Armenia. No system similar to the one proposed exists in the other countries of the region either.  Turkey also has a hybrid system, where the president of the republic is directly elected by people.

10) This kind of vague, non-competent system of governance, in case of which the first person of the country is the president who has no powers and isn’t elected by people, while the premier is given executive powers and is fully dependant on his party and leader, will significantly weaken the possibility of running effective internal policy in the future.