YEREVAN. – The legislative initiative to voluntarily retire judges of the Constitutional Court of Armenia is a hand extended by the incumbent authorities. Deputy speaker of parliament Alen Simonyan from the ruling My Step bloc of said this at the December 11 traditional briefings in the National Assembly.

According to him, Armenia was "occupied by [ex-Presidents] Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan," and “the judicial system was part of that regime and served it."

"But the people of Armenia made a change of power," he added. “A problem emerged with the legislative body, an attempt was made to stop the people of Armenia. And now there is a problem with the judicial power, and this is said not only by the representatives of the ruling force. But when steps are taken to address the issue, the authorities are accused of wanting to build the system in their own comfort. If they had wanted it, they would have left everything as it is. We want to create a judicial system that will function independently as a third branch of power."

"A hand is extended to everyone," Simonyan concluded. " I do not know who will accept it."

On December 11, the National Assembly approved the law on early retirement of serving judges of the Constitutional Court. The bill has generated a public and political reaction, and has become the subject of widespread criticism.