THE ONLY WAY IS BOYCOTT

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“The draft constitutional amendments sent to the Venice Commission does not reflect the political and economic situation in Armenia”, first secretary of the RA Communist Party Ruben Tovmasyan says.

The project did not undergo democratic discussions, even the deputies themselves are not acquainted with the draft sent to the Commission. According to Tovmasyan that “when speaking of independence they fall into the direct dependence of the Venice Commission and other European states, which have much to learn from Armenia.”

“First of all I do not admit that our Constitution should get the OK from outside. There are national customs, historical past. Why should foreigners instruct us? The Constitution should be assessed by the people via discussions”, he considers

“The process of constitutional reform is doomed to failure”, expert of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies Stepan Safaryan considers. Though he has not examined the draft that was sent to the Venice Commission he is convinced that it will not solve the problems, which arouse in the course of political processes. “Besides, one should keep in mind that the project served to one purpose: to adept the Constitution to own political aims and interests. In his opinion, even the amendments of the Venice Commission cannot make the constitution more democratic.

Stepan Demirchyan in his turn noted that the coalition lacks political will “for the adoption of proposals made by the opposition.” “It is incorrect to start constitution reform when the forces within the coalition have already launched the race for President”, Stepan safaryan said adding that the only way under such circumstances is to boycott the referendum on constitutional reform.

“This is an imitation”, leader of New Times party Aram Karapetyan said when commenting on the constitutional amendments. He considers that not all the essential reforms have been implemented. Aram Karapetyan says he respects the Venice Commission, however “we but not they will live due to this constitution.” The New Times leader called upon the opposition to boycott the constitutional reform as this process has no sense.

Karine Asatryan