YEREVAN. - There is no party monopoly in Armenia: About 20 political parties are represented in the republic's parliament.

Ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) MP Artak Zakaryan, who is also the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, said the aforementioned, speaking at the debate on the new draft edition of the constitutional law ''On Political Parties.''

In his words, even the small, 4-member ''Heritage'' faction has representatives from two parties and another two non-partisan members. The Armenian National Congress (ANC) is represented by four forces, RPA—by six, Prosperous Armenia— by three.

''The electoral system of our country has always contributed to pluralism. The new edition of the rule on parties not only doesn't cancel that liberty, but rather strongly develops it. But according to objective estimates, no more than eight political parties with independent ideology can function in Armenia. Every ensuing one will—whether they like it or not—repeat one of the first eight,'' he said.