“We are non-partisan but are not beyond the political margin, we are happy and thankful for receiving an invitation, and the group of independent MPs, people who have a pretty good reputation in their constituencies can participate in the process”, said the NA MP Aragats Akhoyan to Aravot.am.
Note that the former PAP party members who unofficially created a group of independent MPs, today, at the office of the President Serzh Sargsyan, discussed the draft of constitutional amendments. The fact that they exist and are unable and do not want to appear in the political margins, they – the former PAP party MPs, still a few months ago, had informed the President during the meeting with him. The independent MPs have presented a number of recommendations regarding the clear formulation of the family structure, religious equalities, other beliefs, the local government elections procedures, the possibility of the Diaspora Armenian youth to serve in the Armenian Army on voluntary bases and so on. “We received a comprehensive response – the Armenian family consists of a man and a woman,” said Aragats Akhoyan, adding, “It was normal, we received exhaustive answers.”
It turns out that there is an opportunity for the Diaspora Armenians to serve in the Armenian Army if they receive a citizenship of Armenia. The members of the parliamentary group, who are mostly elected by the majority voting, have not expressed concern during the meeting with the President regarding the provision in the draft to switch to a 100 proportional voting system. “There is a rating election point, a person with the same authority can be involved in any political party and to collect more votes for the party with his rating,” explained Aragats Akhoyan. We asked Aragats Akhoyan whether they are not bothered by the fact that labels are attached to the forces and politicians who go to meet with Serzh Sargsyan, “I consider that those who attach labels do not love their homeland. They have other goal and underlying message. A person who loves the homeland cannot attach labels to those who meet with the President. The President accepts and listens to everyone, we are appreciated, being neglected, I do not think that we would feel better.”
Nelly GRIGORYAN
