Republican Party Issues Statement on Constitutional Referendum Decision

The Executive Body of the Republican Party of Armenia has released a statement.

“The Republican Party strongly condemns the ‘Draft Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia’ initiated by the government. The authoritarian populists, who have usurped power and abused the public's trust and expectations, aim to terminate the mandates of the President and members of the Constitutional Court, appointed prior to the entry into force of Chapter 7 of the Constitution, by altering the transitional provisions of the Constitution.

It is essential to emphasize that transitional provisions in any legal act have a specific mission; once they come into effect, they fulfill their mission and cannot be amended. This is a logically contradictory, illegal, and unconstitutional amendment attempted to terminate the mandates of those members of the Constitutional Court appointed under the Constitution that existed before 2015.

This reckless process contradicts the second point of Article 168 and the second paragraph of Article 169 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia. The proposed regulations represent an attempt by the executive and legislative branches to isolate and seize the Constitutional Court, which will result in the Court being stripped of its powers as defined by the Constitution, and, should the referendum yield a favorable outcome, the newly formed Constitutional Court will consist solely of representatives loyal to the ruling power.

The draft in question directly contradicts the principles of the rule of law, constitutionalism, and democracy. Ignoring the calls from the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, it has not undergone the examination of relevant international bodies at the time of adoption, which is unprecedented in the history of newly independent Armenia.

Given the entire spectrum of dangers and consequences that this reckless adventure poses to the state of Armenia, the Republican Party of Armenia:

• Records that the entire responsibility for the initiated process lies with both Nikol Pashinyan and all individuals involved in this act of usurpation of the state.
• Is prepared for immediate, intensive, and broad discussions with all public and political organizations concerned to prevent the consequences of this danger facing the state.
• Calls on diplomatic representatives accredited in Armenia and international organizations to respond to this blatant unconstitutional process regarding amendments to the Constitution of Armenia.
• Warns that such actions undermine the international reputation of the country and weaken Armenia's positions in strategic and security significance processes, including the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.”