HAK and HHK start dispute in parliament over draft constitutional amendments (video)
Debates on the draft constitutional amendments continue at the Armenian National Assembly. Hrant Bagratyan, a lawmaker from the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK), sat uneasy throughout the discussion making remarks from his seat. Passions heated up when the head of the HAK faction, Levon Zurabyan, started asking questions about the draft constitution. He said, Serzh Sargsyan’s representative Vardan Poghosyan yesterday provided false information according to which Sargsyan personally announced that he would not claim for the post of the parliament speaker after the country’s transition to the parliamentary system of the government. “He [Serzh Sargsyan] has not made such an announcement publicly, you are providing disinformation. Can you recall any case when the crisis in Armenia was resulted by the semi-presidential system? The parliamentary carnage of October 1999 resolved the conflict between the Ardarutyun (Justice) Alliance and the country’s president, but the reason was not the semi-presidential system. Can you cite any European country where the parliament chairman nominated a candidate for the vacant position of prime minister? I think that Armenia will be the only exception. It is nonsense to know that the commander in chief of the country is not the president during a war, but the prime minister,” Zurabyan said. Vardan Poghosyan said in reply that he had not provided the National Assembly any false information. “Serzh Sargsyan informed people of his decision through various channels.” While Poghosyan was speaking Levon Zurabyan was making remarks from his place. Mr Zurabyan, try to have the ability to listen and observe the rules of ethics. Is it that important whether he [Serzh Sargsyan] said it personally or publically if he informed public that he did not aspire to the position?” Vardan Poghosyan said. “Whom do you mean by saying public?” Zurabyan said. “Not you,” NA Chairman Galust Sahakyan replied. Speaking about the parliamentary bloodshed of October 27, 1999, Poghosyan said, “I have never said that there is any connection between the president, the conflicts between lawmakers and the October 27 events. After the1999 parliamentary elections the president and the parliamentary majority came to confrontation which lasted until the spring, when they resolved the conflict. Constitutions were written to prevent possible confrontations. Mr. Zurabyan, it is not enough to study twenty constitutions. A comprehensive study of the constitutional right is required.” Levon Zurabyan again said something from his seat, which finally angered Republican Party (HHK) lawmaker Khosrov Harutyunyan who began shouting from his place. HHK lawmaker Hrant Baghratyan and Republican lawmaker Hayk Babukhanyan also joined the dispute. “Come here,” said Babukhanyan. No, you come here,” said Bagratyan. Levon Zurabyan said that he did not have enough time to respond to those demagogic statements. I shall refer to them in my speech. This nation is a testing ground for you,” he said in conclusion.
