It Is Unacceptable to Change the Law for Personal Gain to Extend Power: Tovmasyan on the Idea of Dissolving Parliament

I believe that the dissolution of parliament should not become an accessible process, and we must not allow the right of the parliament to operate freely and independently to be constantly jeopardized in a parliamentary governance system. This was stated by independent MP Taguhi Tovmasyan in an interview with NEWS.am, commenting on the initiative of the ruling 'My Step' faction to grant parliament the opportunity for self-dissolution through constitutional amendments.

“I would like to make one remark. It is noticeable that the decisions of our government are more stable, less subject to changes than the country's main law, the Constitution. However, in normal countries, it should be entirely the opposite. Throughout my journalistic career, I have consistently criticized Serge Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan for constantly changing the Constitution or laws to extend their power, prioritizing their own interests over those of the country in accordance with the demands of the day. Moreover, I have harshly criticized the previous governments. Today, many members of the 'My Step' faction, who were former journalists, subjected former governments to the same kind of criticism as I did. It is surprising to me that such actions are being taken in post-revolutionary Armenia, the principles of which we rejected,” said the MP.

MP Vahagn Hovakimyan from the 'My Step' faction refused to provide details during a conversation with journalists, stating that the draft currently in circulation does not yet exist; it is merely an idea that needs approval from the faction.

“I believe that the dissolution of parliament should not become an accessible process, and we must not allow the right of the parliament to operate freely and independently to be constantly jeopardized. In a parliamentary country, the parliament cannot be in the most vulnerable state; on the contrary, it should be the most stable and protected. However, I also consider this to be a false agenda as it aims to engage the public in a dialogue over the dissolution of parliament, diverting attention from critical issues that require urgent solutions such as the situation in Artsakh, the return of prisoners, the issues facing families of the fallen, missing persons, the injured, those evacuated from Artsakh, and other urgent problems. This draft does not contribute to the welfare of our country and does not help resolve the economic and social issues of the Vardenis region, which are very important to me, as well as the reopening of the Vardenis-Martakert highway,” emphasized Taguhi Tovmasyan.

In order for the National Assembly to self-dissolve without the resignation of the Prime Minister, constitutional amendments are required. If the ruling party includes that idea in the parliamentary agenda in the form of a bill, at least 88 votes will be necessary to implement it, but 'My Step' has 83 mandates. This means that authorities will need either opposition votes or the support of independent MPs.

“Regarding my vote, I will wait to see the form in which the bill will come and then decide. But the principles I have become acquainted with through media publications are unacceptable to me. It is unacceptable to change the law for personal gain to extend power; I rejected this decades ago, I will reject it now, and I will reject it for the rest of my life,” added the MP.