Armenian parliament again discusses crisis resolution of Constitutional Court

Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo. . On May 21, Anna Kostanyan, deputy  from the Enlightened Armenia faction, stated such an opinion during  parliamentary discussions on the crisis in the Constitutional Court.

The deputy stated that , Kostanyan emphasized.  She noted that, for a  referendum, firstly, all the necessary preliminary procedures had not  been carried out.  In particular, the parliament did not appeal to  the Constitutional Court on this issue. "It seems to me that perhaps  the authorities are afraid of the failure of the referendum,  therefore we intend to carry out this initiative through parliament,  but in this case we can violate the principle of differentiating the  branches of government – legislative, judicial and executive,"  Kostanyan concluded.

Meanwhile, according to the deputy of the ruling faction "My Step"  Vahagn Hovakimyan, the crisis of the Constitutional Court can be  resolved through amendments to the Constitution. He noted that the  authorities that gave judges of the Constitutional Court their powers  do not exist any more. 

, Hovakimyan noted.  The  deputy stressed that it is simply impossible to abruptly change the  Constitution or deal with the issue of courts. ,  concluded Hovakimyan.  Explaining the issue, in an interview with  ArmInfo correspondent, Vahagn Hovakimyan stated that the Minister of  Justice of Armenia Rustam Badasyan addressed the Venice Commission on  the issue related to the crisis of the Constitutional Court. , the  deputy stressed. He also touched on the possibility of creating the  Supreme Court, stressing that the commission on constitutional  amendments is dealing with this issue.  Meanwhile, at a recent press  conference, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the  issue of a possible liquidation of the institution of the  Constitutional Court is being discussed by the constitutional  commission. The Prime Minister noted that the issue of creating the  Supreme Court is being considered.  , – said Pashinyan. He said  that if by the end of next year it becomes obvious that there are no  special changes in the judicial system, then fundamental reforms will  be implemented in this area.  It should be noted that on February 6  the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia adopted a decision  on submitting draft amendments to the Constitution to the referendum.  88 deputies voted for this decision, against 15. It is a question of  introducing amendments to Article 213 of the Constitution, providing  for the dissolution of the Constitutional Court. A referendum on  constitutional amendments was scheduled for April 5 this year.  However, because of the coronavirus epidemic, it had to be canceled. 

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS