Representatives of the ruling party did not think that they have something to convince the Venetians
During the meeting with the representatives of parliamentary factions, extra-parliamentary forces and NGOs, Members of the Venice Commission, discussing the draft of Constitutional amendments, once again stated that there is no political consolidation in Armenia’s political field regarding the implementation of constitutional amendments. One of the Commission members, Christoph Grabenwarter expressed the following opinion, “If we say that we have reached a compromise, no. We have reached a common understanding of what we have as of July 15”.
RPA faction MP Artak Zakaryan, in response to this observation of the Venice Commission, in the conversation with “Aravot”, noted, “The Venice Commission says that there is no consolidation as the political forces still have different approaches on a number of matters. The public demand is to make amendments in the country.” According to RPA MP, one of the systemic changes are the constitutional types of amendments, making additions and amendments in the norms and requirements of the constitution, ruling in a new way, communicating and creating new legal and political conditions.
He went into details, “Consolidations are recommendations. Of course, not 100 percent, but there is a consolidation on the issue that constitutional amendments are necessary. And as to how these amendments should be, these issues are still being discussed. The final consolidation will be in the fall.” To our observation that since the beginning of the process of constitutional amendments, the Venice Commission has suggested a condition that the amendments would be justified only in the event of consolidation of political forces, Mr. Zakaryan responded, “The Venice Commission is not a condition suggesting nor a judge. It is an opinion suggesting body.”
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T the question of how they will convince this structure that even in the absence of consolidation, the constitutional amendments are justified, Mr. Zakaryan replied, “There is no problem convincing the Venice Commission. We have the need to take the Venice Commission’s opinion into account to avoid deviating from democratically adopted norms and standards, and to avoid endangering the democratic processes in our country.” In response to our question of whether we do not endanger by opposing the Venice Commission’s opinion on this fundamental matter, the RPA MP responded, “We do not endanger, consolidation is a different thing.”
Mr. Zakaryan admits that there is no consolidation among the political forces as each one of them is pushing its own opinion ahead, but he is confident that they will convince everyone, even to themselves. To our question as to who will convince the Venice Commission, Artak Zakaryan responded, “The Commission should give one more interim opinion still in September, and the final opinion will be issued in October. Eventually, the Venice Commission is not the supreme court nor the last truth.” To our observation that when needed, this Commission was the upper instance court for the ruling party, and when its posture does no longer generate from the RPA party’s interests, it is not an upper body, Artak Zakaryan countered that there was no such a thing and concluded, “Yes, today, there is no final and concordant posture between all political forces so far. Therefore, hearings, discussions and debates are underway.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN, “Aravot” daily
