What is Happening in Artsakh: Will the Constitution Change?

The newspaper "Hraparak" reports: Former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, Samvel Babayan, is reintegrating into the political life of Artsakh, from which he had withdrawn after the 44-day war, renouncing his title of Artsakh hero and the position of Secretary of the Security Council. This was perceived as an attempt to evade responsibility and place the blame for the defeat on the shoulders of the military-political leadership.

Recently, Babayan attended a solemn event organized in connection with the Day of Artsakh's Rebirth at the Culture and Youth Palace in Stepanakert. Although he did not sit in the front row alongside the current and former presidents of the Republic of Artsakh, Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, as well as Prime Minister Ruben Vardanyan, our sources in Artsakh report that Babayan is actively meeting with his associates in preparation for the upcoming elections.

He does not hide the fact that if the Constitution changes, he would not oppose taking the position of Prime Minister; however, neither in public circles nor from the authorities is he expected to be offered any position.

It is worth noting that the issue of constitutional amendments in Artsakh has re-emerged on the agenda. On February 13, Araik Harutyunyan signed a decree sending a draft on “The election of the president by the National Assembly in case the president's position remains vacant during martial law and its specifics” to the National Assembly. The Assembly is to discuss and adopt the amendment without a referendum, with two-thirds of the votes, after which the parliament will gain the right to appoint the president of Artsakh in emergency situations.