Military expert: Armenian PM may lose power without peace treaty with Azerbaijan

REGION  27 June 2024 - 13:22

Armenian military analyst Hayk Nahapetyan has said that the issue of holding a referendum on Armenia's accession to the EU should be considered amid the government's efforts to fulfill Azerbaijan's conditions regarding the adoption of a new constitution.

“Both referendums are planned to be conducted simultaneously because voter turnout will be extremely low if only the constitutional referendum is held and it fails,” Caliber.Az reports citing Nahapetyan’s interview with Armenia’s Channel 5.

“The current ruling elite will be able to retain power only if a peace treaty is signed with Azerbaijan. That is, Pashinyan will have power only if peace can be achieved. However, Baku sets preconditions to achieve this peace. It is necessary to change the constitution. When an obligation to change the constitution is imposed, the matter rests in eliminating the Declaration of Independence, that is, the thesis is being promoted that Armenia must not have any requirements regarding Karabakh in the basic law of the country either. However, the authorities are well aware that Armenian voters will not actively vote, that is, there will not be 50 per cent + 1 per cent turnout and the referendum will fail,” he said.

“For this reason, a step back was taken. The issue of snap elections was removed from the agenda, and now the idea of holding a referendum on Armenia’s accession to the EU is being introduced to hold it together with a referendum on the constitution. Taking into account the fact that Armenian citizens are not indifferent to this issue, some are categorically against it, the authorities will be able to achieve the necessary voter turnout. However, the essence of the process is to adopt a new constitution. The authorities are well aware that the EU does not need Armenia, this referendum will solve one problem - to bring people to the polls,” he added, suggesting that the referendum may be held in September.

Earlier, Secretary of the Armenian Security Council Armen Grigoryan said that Armenia received the tenth package of proposals for a peace treaty from Azerbaijan. Grigoryan stated that the process remains dynamic, with periods of progress and stagnation, but affirmed ongoing efforts.

Caliber.Az