What Goals are Hidden Under the Government's Community Consolidation Program?

According to Vahan Movsisyan, the president of the Union of Community Financiers NGO, it is unclear what goals are hidden beneath the government’s proposed community consolidation program. Sputnik Armenia reports.

According to him, the government has not clarified whether it plans to make other changes, such as delegating certain powers and functions to the consolidating communities.

"The question is not why we are consolidating communities, but why we are consolidating already large communities. No one says that consolidation is bad. It is a tool through which we should try to create an environment where residents can receive appropriate services. But when we are again consolidating already large communities, which are quite strong in resources—both human and financial—that can mean two things: 1. The state is moving towards deep decentralization, deciding to transfer some of its functions to the communities (including the functions of regional administrations); 2. The communities will transform from local self-governance into local branches of state management. In other words, the state decides something, and the localities implement it," Movsisyan said in an interview with Sputnik Armenia.

According to him, both previous and current authorities claim that communities are small and lack sufficient personnel and financial resources to implement broad functions, whereas, according to Movsisyan, many of the communities proposed for consolidation will ultimately hold the resources of an entire region and can carry out the functions of regional authority.

"If you continue to leave waste management and street lighting to the communities, then there is no need for consolidation. But if you want to give new powers, then let’s make a political statement that you have a political vision for serious powers for communities," Movsisyan asserts, adding that alongside the draft amendment to the law on 'Administrative-Territorial Division', the government should also publish a roadmap indicating which powers it intends to delegate to communities over the next five years.

"In this case, your published lists of consolidation will be justified," he said.

Movsisyan believes it is necessary to make amendments to the 'Law on Administrative-Territorial Division', as well as to the 'Law on Territorial Self-Governance' and the Electoral Code. He noted that community council elections can no longer be held under the majoritarian electoral system. Additionally, the head of a community elected under the proportional system should lead the council but not the community. The executive head of the community should be someone else, selected by the council but not from its members, and should be an informed, professional manager.

"Bringing a politician to be the head of the community does not guarantee that the politician will also be a good manager," Movsisyan stated.

It is worth noting that tomorrow, on September 24, at 11:00, the National Assembly will convene an extraordinary session at the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, during which the draft law on amendments and additions to the 'Law on Administrative-Territorial Division of the Republic of Armenia' will be discussed in the first and second readings.

The draft presented to the NA envisions the consolidation of 69 communities in Aragatsotn Province, 105 in Ararat Province, 82 in Armavir Province, 62 in Gegharkunik Province, 43 in Lori Province, 30 in Kotayk Province, 40 in Shirak Province, 5 in Vayots Dzor Province, and 3 in Tavush Province. As a result of the unification, 37 communities will be formed.

Additionally, it is planned to supplement the list of settlements of the Kapan community in Syunik Province with the village of Urkenants. This proposal was received from the head of the Kapan community.

The changes are justified by the ongoing process of community consolidation that started in 2016 and remains unfinished.

Since February 14, 2016, 54 consolidated communities have been formed from the unification of 486 communities in Armenia. After the approval of the law amendments in the newly created communities, new extraordinary elections for the community councils will be appointed. According to the decision of the Central Electoral Commission, local self-government elections will be held on October 17, November 14, and December 5 this year.