Republican MP: They cannot thwart constitutional reform process (video)
The parliamentary system of government will prove effective and will increase the role of political parties in our society, says Republican lawmaker Levon Martirosyan. He says one can hardly name a parliamentary republic which is not a democratic country. “We are also beginning the process of becoming a more democratic country,” said member of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs of the Armenian National Assembly. Speaking about the people who disapproved of the constitutional amendments, Mr Martirosyan said, “Only some individuals oppose the amendments but the reasons are not clear. They generally oppose everything that the government does. For many years, these people were in favor of a parliamentary system of government and spoke about it from morning till evening but now, all of a sudden, they changed their position. When reminded that the “NO” camp cites the possible reproduction of the power as the main reason for their disapproval, the Republican MP said in all countries, all political forces want to keep their power as long as possible. “That is a natural political aspiration,” he said reminding Serzh Sargsyan’s announcement that after the constitution is adopted he will not hold any of the three top positions in the country: president, prime minister and speaker. Asked whether the efforts of the opposite camp, that ensured to thwart the process before the referendum, will yield any results, the lawmaker said, “It is obvious that their endeavours will fail as there is no agenda.” Earlier, members of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) said they are going to thwart the process, and they are having discussions with different forces on launching a “no” campaign.Also, a civil initiative called "You Won't Pass" that was formed against the constitutional amendments is now cooperating with the BHK Heritage, Founding Parliament, the No To Plunder civil initiative and some individuals over the constitutional amendments.
