The Presidential Dilemmas in Armenia

Dr. Razmig Shirnian

BY RAZMIG SHIRINIAN

A constitutional referendum in Armenia is set to change the country into a fully parliamentary republic. It is set to change the existing constitution, adopted in 1995, which clearly outlines the presidential model of democracy and explains the workings of the current Armenian political system. First, what is notable in the existing constitutional language concerning presidential power is the outright authority and the minimal, if any, flexibility for interpretation. The president is explicitly given the constitutional authority “to ensure the regular functioning of the legislative, executive and judicial powers”