There Are Grounds for Initiating the Impeachment Process Against Armen Sarkissian: Vahagn Hovakimyan

The President can harm the security of the state, plunge the country into instability, and render legislative reforms ineffective by arbitrarily exercising his powers. Recently, Armen Sarkissian's actions seem to aim at producing negative consequences. Thus, one can note that there are apparent grounds for initiating the impeachment process against Armen Sarkissian. This was stated by MP Vahagn Hovakimyan, a member of the 'My Step' faction.

'According to Article 139 of the Constitution, the President has the right to return the draft of a decree with objections to the proposing body. At first glance, it may seem that Armen Sarkissian exercised this power yesterday by returning the draft decree on the dismissal of the Chief of Staff with objections to the Prime Minister. However, this is not the case at all. The President cannot arbitrarily return draft decrees to the proposing body whenever he wishes. In the current situation, the Prime Minister has recommended the dismissal of the Chief of Staff based on the powers granted to him by the Constitution (Article 155). Even the most mystical imagination cannot see elements of unconstitutionality in this process, even if only superficially. In reality, we are dealing with a case of the President arbitrarily exercising his authority, which is unacceptable.'

'By exercising his powers arbitrarily, the President can damage the security of the state, push the country into instability, and nullify legislative reforms, and so on. Recently, Armen Sarkissian's actions seem to be aimed precisely at creating the aforementioned negative consequences. Therefore, one can record that there are apparent grounds for initiating the impeachment process against Armen Sarkissian based on gross violations of the Constitution (Article 141),' Hovakimyan wrote.