I Oppose Viewing the Constitution as a 'Sacred Cow': Vladimir Vardanian

Whether there will be a new Constitution and what its text will look like, including whether it will reference the provisions of the Declaration of Independence, will be decided by the people through a referendum. This was stated by Vladimir Vardanian, a member of the 'Civil Contract' faction, during a conversation with reporters after a meeting of the National Assembly's State-Legal Committee.

According to him, the Constitution should be viewed in two ways: as a text in itself and as the will of the citizens. He believes that the Constitution is a living document, and at certain stages of societal development, there arises a need to change or revise it based on the citizens' vote.

'Armenia is neither the first nor the last country to discuss not only constitutional reforms but also the text of a new Constitution after gaining independence,' Vardanian noted.

Regarding the doubts raised by the opposition that the new Constitution will not reference the 'Declaration of Independence,' Vardanian pointed out that the current Constitution references not the entire Declaration but specific provisions, and this is not done in the main text but in the preamble. Whether the new Constitution will include such references, and of what magnitude they will be, will be determined by the people.

'I have always opposed attempts to change the Constitution on a weekly basis and I also oppose viewing the Constitution as a 'sacred cow.' It is a living document, and it needs to live and evolve,' Vardanian stated. He also added that there is no final decision made regarding the creation of the new Constitution's text, but there are ideas that are being discussed.