YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: [PM] Nikol Pashinyan has usurped another of President Armen Sarkissian’s few powers.
On Friday at Sardarapat [Memorial] he awarded high state awards—granted the title of National Hero of Armenia, handed the Combat Cross Medals—to the heroes of the Tavush [Province] battles [in July]. Meanwhile, according to Article 136 of the Constitution, “The President of the Republic awards with RA orders and medals, grants honorary titles in cases and in the manner prescribed by law.”
A. Sargsyan is on vacation since August 27, whereas the [aforesaid] event was organized the next day, so that not the president, but the prime minister would receive the laurel to evaluate and award the heroes.
However, “by application of analogy,” if the RA President does not exercise his powers, then, according to the Constitution, they pass not to the Prime Minister, but to the NA [National Assembly] president; that is, the powers of the NA president have also been usurped.