Armenia’s Justice Ministry outlines key innovations in draft Constitution

Armenia’s Minister of Justice, Srbuhi Galyan, has detailed several significant provisions being considered for inclusion in the country’s new Constitution, including a new mechanism for repeat elections if the winning party fails to form a parliamentary majority.

According to Caliber.Az, citing Armenian media, Galyan told reporters that the draft Constitution is expected to include “a provision on holding repeat elections in case the winning party is unable to form a majority.”

She explained that the Council on Constitutional Amendments continues to convene regularly, reviewing a wide range of issues related to the electoral system and the powers of the National Assembly.

Galyan said the topic of ensuring a stable political majority has already been examined and approved. Under the proposed model, the mechanism for a second electoral round will not be applied immediately after the initial vote.

If the party that wins the election cannot secure a majority either independently or through a coalition, new elections will be held involving all political forces. “If no majority is formed even after the repeat elections, only in that case,” the minister noted, “will a second round take place, as provided for under current legislation.”

The justice minister also stated that expanding the authority of parliamentary committees is under consideration. One proposal would allow committees to issue advisory opinions on the appointment of officials to executive bodies.

Another approved provision concerns a simplified procedure for dissolving parliament. Galyan said the new Constitution will include a mechanism allowing the National Assembly to dissolve itself without the lengthy process of initiating a vote of no confidence in the prime minister or awaiting his resignation.

She added that self-dissolution would occur “on the initiative of a certain portion of deputies and with the necessary number of votes,” although she did not specify the exact thresholds.

During the Council’s sessions, support was also expressed for establishing a parliamentary ethics committee. Discussions additionally covered reforms to the Prosecutor’s Office, including the possible creation of a Prosecutorial Council aimed at partially modifying the institution’s traditional vertical structure.

By Tamilla Hasanova