YEREVAN. – The purpose behind this bill is a little different. Lilit Makunts, head of the majority My Step faction in the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, said this in a conversation with journalists in the NA today, referring to the bill on early retirement of the current Constitutional Court members.

Under the bill, the current Constitutional Court members are given an opportunity to resign by January 31, but to be paid pensions in the amount of their salaries.

"The goal is not to solve the crisis of confidence, but to take steps to restore confidence and to somehow facilitate the process of [judiciary] recovery," Makunts emphasized. “Changes being done within the judicial system are the most encouraging. The judicial system and the judges must be ready to take certain steps and to reach out. This is the option that has been discussed with our international partners, and it is suggested to take this opportunity as well. I cannot say to what extent the judges of the Constitutional Court will take advantage of this opportunity; it is possible that no one will use it. But I think this is one of the necessary steps that need to be taken."