The foundations for the criminal-oligarch system in Armenia were placed in 1998. Of course, there were elements of criminals and oligarchs before then that had some influence on politics, but Kocharyan dealt with that issue using a systematic, institutional approach, and the mechanisms of that system were perfected and “oiled” over the next 20 years. The architecture of that building changed entirely in the 2015 Constitution, which is parliamentary on paper, but a dictatorship in practice.
It is very easy to show this using the example of the powers given to the Prime Minister. How is it that the Prime Minister is not to blame for the disgraceful military defeat, but can easily remove and appoint the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces? It turns out that “innocent,” whose function is “moderation” at best, means “guilty” and is set aside. It’s a wonderful job that can be enjoyed for decades without a hitch. According to the constitution written by the “former regime,” the powers of the prime minister are royal and the responsibility is zero.
The current government is supposedly fighting against the “former regime,” but that struggle is manifested in labeling any opponent “former” and persecuting them under that pretext. The criminal-oligarchic system remained the same, including the unruly behavior of the representatives of the same oligarchy in the streets. In fact, I think deep down, today’s authorities thank their predecessors every morning for the constitution they have been given, which theoretically, if there are no major upheavals and revolutions, creates an opportunity to rule forever. In particular, as in previous decades, so now the government cannot be changed through elections.
The authorities, as well as pro-government NGOs, present the dismantling of the system exclusively as a “vetting” of judges. As if everything has already been reformed, all the flaws have been eliminated, and only bad judges prevent complete happiness. In fact, it is a step in the opposite direction to make the courts an obedient tool of political revenge. As all other law enforcement agencies, from the Prosecutor’s Office to the Investigative Committee, have already been sufficiently “reformed” and are following the instructions of the executive, only the courts are left. It is a step towards the complete restoration of the criminal-oligarchic system.
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Aram Abrahamyan
