At the meeting with the Special Committee on Constitutional Reform under the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan announced that he is not going to run for President if the semi-presidential government system is maintained, nor for Prime Minister if the parliamentary system is introduced. In this context, I recalled the meeting of a number of media leaders and political scientists with the president, which, if I’m not mistaken, was held on September 11, 2013. However, it was after September 3, because the main theme was the Customs Union. The conversation was not for publication, although some unscrupulous colleagues published a series of information. Since the “statute of limitation” has expired, I will permit myself to tell you two details.
They also talked about the constitutional reforms. To my question whether he is going to run for the third terms after these amendments, Serzh Sargsyan responded, no, it is contrary to the political culture established in Armenia and his beliefs. After that, two of my colleagues asked in different ways whether it is possible that in case of introducing the parliamentary government system, he will become prime minister, the president again gave a negative answer to the question. This much, I think, I am entitled to publicize also due to the fact that yesterday Serzh Sargsyan already publicly said the same thing.
Of course, analysts and politicians can say that the president was not telling the truth then and yesterday. One can also assume that on September, last year, Serzh Sargsyan anticipated that the four non-government forces would unite and present an influential force, would threaten with all-day rallies, and to to prevent this powerful wave, the president had initiated this tricky combination of constitutional reforms. These assumptions, of course, have the right to exist.
I will make my assumptions: unfortunately, the semi-presidential system will remain in Armenia, with a few cosmetic adjustments. I am saying unfortunately, because I think that it is time to completely remove the post of the president. Serzh Sargsyan really will not run for President. Will the opposition be successful in organizing extraordinary presidential elections? I do not know. One thing I know for sure. Those who believe that if the RA president’s name is not Serzh Sargsyan, but Poghos Nikoghosyan, something would be changed, they are in deep delusion.
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And, in general, we cannot have a president in the near future at all. He is very likely to be replaced by a governor of Russia.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
