Nikol Pashinyan's Statement Surprises Many MPs from 'My Step': 'Hraparak'

Nikol Pashinyan's announcement regarding his intention to return to a semi-presidential system during his speech at the March 1 rally has caught many MPs from 'My Step' off guard. The fact is that the issue has not been discussed within the faction. Moreover, in his summary press conference in January 2020, Pashinyan criticized the semi-presidential system, stating that it has been a failed governance system throughout the entire period of the third Republic of Armenia.

“We have practically all seen this, and it has been proven. From the very next day of the revolution, there were people who said that the semi-presidential system should be restored quickly, explaining that it was better in the old system where, in fact, all levers were in the hands of the president, and the responsibility was in the hands of the prime minister. Whenever a problem arose, the president would very successfully shift his responsibility onto the prime minister, removing himself from the process, creating a buffer,” he noted.

His previous day's statement is primarily directed against 'My Step'. After the war, Pashinyan is fighting not only against the opposition but also within his own team to prevent it from fracturing—so that MPs do not join the opposition or initiate an impeachment process.

In a parliamentary system, the prime minister depends on the parliament; on one hand, 'My Step' is his hostage, and on the other hand, he is theirs. For three months he has been forced to satisfy their demands so that they do not rise against him. He believes that the presidential position will allow him to govern everyone directly.

This was reported by 'Hraparak.'