The topic of “Face to face” talk show of Aravot online is discussed between Hovhannes Margaryan, MP of Rule of the Law faction, and Tevan Poghosyan, MP of “Heritage” faction.
Aram Abrahamyan – Soon the Constitutional amendments will be discussed in a wide-range, and in different formats. Although the concept of these amendments is unknown to us, however, let’s imagine in what directions these amendments should be made.
Hovhannes Margaryan – First, I must say that from timing perspective, it should make a long way. I remember when in 2003 a working group was established, and a constitutional referendum was held by the end of 2005, in short, around 2.5-3 years we worked on the constitutional reforms. In fact, in 2005, some powers were gradually delegated from the President to the Parliament. If we definitely choose a model, we should proportionately defend the model. The work should be continued in this direction.
A. A. – Now, are we living in conditions of semi-presidential or super-presidential model?
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Tevan Poghosyan – Documentary, on paper, we can say that it is semi-presidential. However, I must say something here: the mechanism by which, as of today, they tried to introduce the idea of these constitutional reforms and formed a group, unfortunately, no opposition figure was involved in that group so that we could initially be familiar with the mechanisms. In reality, we are not familiar with it, we are aware of it on the level of gossip, which may or may not meet the reality. Recall the same with the example of 2005 constitutional amendments, how many problems there were when the people were directly unaware of. There were doubts about whether everything was fair at the referendum, whether it was really the choice of the people, or, however, Armenia was trying to fulfill its commitments before the European structures.
A. A – Is the format of holding constitutional amendments right or wrong?
H. M. – Definitely, extensive discussions will be held, ultimately, the public is going to make the choice, the Constitution is the law of laws, in other words, the citizen adopts the constitutional amendments by the referendum, in favor of it, or against it. It’s still early, and I can not tell when the referendum will be held, however, it will definitely be a topic of a broad discussion for a long time, I think that the direction is important, and the direction continues to be what was in 2005, the amendments.
A. A – Based on these amendments, the prime minister is appointed by this mechanism, and the Attorney General by that mechanism, but we still know that actually everything is done by the president.
T. P. – The President nominates, he is using his powers, and the majority approves, because it is the same force, and there is no matter of discourse that the programs are presented, discussed, and accepted. Parliament, for example, must have a control function approach, which actually is missing. The same is true about today’s rejected the March 1 Commission. A Committee should be formed that will exercise a control function, such as on gas issues or “Nairit”. However, we have not developed the culture. We have a long way to go, very often a phenomenon was spread among us that the disagreements in the groups or even disagreeing with each other were a sort of not accepted.
Prepared by ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
“Face to Face” talk show is implemented by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia. The views and analysis found in this talk show express the opinions of the participants and are not approved by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia or its Board. The transmission of this talk show is made possible thanks to comprehensive financial support by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, under the mass media support program, grant No 18624.
