ARF: “There will be no presidential elections in 2008” (video)
Political forces aren’t ready to give details about the meeting with Serzh Sargsyan held two days ago on the occasion of constitutional amendments. But there was no word about the reproduction of Serzh Sargsyan. NA HHK faction Head Vahram Baghdasaryan says that in any case there wasn’t such a discussion and such an issue wasn’t raised. Serzh Sargsyan invited 9 political forces into Baghramyan 26. Opposition BHK, which several months ago announced that it wouldn’t enter into discussions, is ready to make suggestions. BHK faction Head Naira Zohrabyan says, “Yes, formerly we said that we wouldn’t enter into discussions, but the issue was discussed in the faction and in the party, the observation of the co-rapporteurs of the Venice Commission was also discussed, that if the main opposition force doesn’t participate, it may be perceived as alienation from political processes.” But except the parliamentary model BHK is ready to make suggestions on other topics of the conception of reforms only in one case, “If they announce that they will pass to parliamentary system of government, it will be an important impulse for us so that we can make suggestions on those two chapters- human rights and justice.” In case of transition to parliamentary government model for having Supreme Commander-in-Chief the experience of Israel and Germany is being examined. Dashnaktsutyun is giving details. ARF faction Head Armen Rustamyan says, “In fact, the government itself becomes the body, which will supervise the armed forced in case of war. It is the example of Germany, there is one head, as there must be only one and it is Prime Minister and the National Assembly makes a declaration of war.” “There will be no presidential elections in 2008,” says Armen Rustamyan. The latter accepts that in case of the parliamentary government model the country plunges into political crisis more often: for example in Italy 60 governments have changed in 50 years, as no political power has become majority, “It means that the majority will be formed in a very logical way, which will be clear and transparent for the people and the mechanism of formation of that majority will be clear. It means that we will do everything so that the formation of the majority happens in democratic way.” The changes will be put into effect in parliamentary elections of 2017 so that the parliament will have new status. The discussion of the bill on constitutional amendments is expected in autumn at the National Assembly.
