“Zhoghovurd” daily writes:

“The next major transformation of the state administration system is being discussed in the government of Armenia, as a result of which the existing institution of regional governorships may be phased out by 2028. According to the government sources of “Zhoghovurd” daily newspaper, according to the discussed model, instead of the current regional governors, only one Government representative with a small staff and limited functions can operate in each region.

Although no official announcement has yet been made regarding this initiative, the optimization of the administrative system is at the heart of the approach being discussed in the government. According to our sources, the point of view is being heard more and more often in the executive branch that regional governments are no longer performing such functions as would justify the maintenance of existing extensive structures.

“Zhoghovurd” daily found out that in recent years, a number of key powers have been gradually removed from regional governorships. Already today, the process of appointing and dismissing directors of state non-commercial organizations, medical centers, has been centralized in the Ministry of Health. In the field of education, the centralization of management also continues. from September, the management functions of public schools will be fully transferred to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. A number of social services functions have also been reorganized, being transferred to local self-government bodies or relevant central bodies.

Against the background of these changes, the government is debating the question of what functions are actually left for the governorates and whether it is justified to maintain the current multi-layered administrative system with governors, deputy governors, heads of departments and apparatuses consisting of dozens of employees.

According to our sources, in the case of the version being discussed, only the representative of the Government can be kept in each marz, which will ensure the representation of the central government in the marz, and the implementation of the sectorial policy will be completely concentrated in the ministries and local self-government bodies.

The political context of the discussions is also remarkable. Inside the government, they do not rule out that in the event of such a reform, the position of governor may become temporary or transitional. That is the reason why some MPs of the ruling “Civil Agreement” party, who were in temporary positions and were elected MPs, are not in a hurry to give up their parliamentary mandates. If the reorganization of the Institute of Marzpetars is implemented by 2028, the marzpets will remain unemployed.”

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