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CURRENT SYSTEM OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA ALLOWS THE AUTHORITIES TO MAINTAIN PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY EVEN IN CASE OF A CLEAN SWEEP OF OPPOSITION
arminfo
Wednesday, January 11, 18:07
In the current system of parliamentary elections in Armenia, the
opposition will find itself in the parliamentary minority even in
case of its clean sweep. Thus, if 70% of the voters vote for the
opposition, this will provide the opposition with 63 mandates, and
the coalition will have 27 mandates, but if we add to this figure
the majoritarian seats, which traditionally fall to the pro-power
politicians and oligarchs, then the number of the coalition's mandates
will reach 68, Alexander Arzumanyan, ex-foreign minister of Armenia,
ex-representative of the oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC),
and currently member of the recently created party of Free Democrats,
said at today's press conference.
He said that the present order of election to parliament (41
majority seats and 90 proportional seats) is the key mechanism of
electoral fraud. Arzumanyan thinks that the proposal of Heritage and
Dashnaktsutyun parties to switch to a 100% proportional system is
necessary and well-timed.
For his part, Artak Davtyan, MP from the ruling Republican Party of
Armenia, said that the switch from one system to another should not be
considered as a solution to the problem. Referring to the experience of
other countries, which have switched to the 100% proportional system,
Davtyan stressed that in this case a weak government is formed,
the ties with the voters are much weaker, and the representation of
the regions is also weak. In case of Armenia, the given system will
lead to prevalence of party interests over the state interests. "For
instance, Russia has witched to the proportional system, but the recent
parliamentary election followed by mass protest actions demonstrated
the inconsistency of the system", Davtyan said.
The MP added that the changes proposed by the opposition should be
introduced with due regard for the voters' opinion, i.e. such issues
should be put to referendum. Given that only 4 months are left before
the parliamentary election, the prospects for the switch to this
system seem to be vague.
To recall, in a press statement on Dec 27 the opposition Armenian
National Congress expressed its solidarity with the Heritage and ARFD
parties' initiative to shift to 100% proportional electoral system.
The ANC believes that this shift will make elections in Armenia fair
and transparent and is ready to cooperate with any party to this end.
Heritage and ARFD believe that by approving their initiative the regime
will prove its commitment to create an atmosphere of tolerance and
consolidation before the elections. According to the current electoral
system, 41 of the 131 parliamentary seats are majoritarian, while 90 -
proportional. The opponents say that lots of "neighborhood leaders"
get into the parliament due to this system.
arminfo
Wednesday, January 11, 18:07
In the current system of parliamentary elections in Armenia, the
opposition will find itself in the parliamentary minority even in
case of its clean sweep. Thus, if 70% of the voters vote for the
opposition, this will provide the opposition with 63 mandates, and
the coalition will have 27 mandates, but if we add to this figure
the majoritarian seats, which traditionally fall to the pro-power
politicians and oligarchs, then the number of the coalition's mandates
will reach 68, Alexander Arzumanyan, ex-foreign minister of Armenia,
ex-representative of the oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC),
and currently member of the recently created party of Free Democrats,
said at today's press conference.
He said that the present order of election to parliament (41
majority seats and 90 proportional seats) is the key mechanism of
electoral fraud. Arzumanyan thinks that the proposal of Heritage and
Dashnaktsutyun parties to switch to a 100% proportional system is
necessary and well-timed.
For his part, Artak Davtyan, MP from the ruling Republican Party of
Armenia, said that the switch from one system to another should not be
considered as a solution to the problem. Referring to the experience of
other countries, which have switched to the 100% proportional system,
Davtyan stressed that in this case a weak government is formed,
the ties with the voters are much weaker, and the representation of
the regions is also weak. In case of Armenia, the given system will
lead to prevalence of party interests over the state interests. "For
instance, Russia has witched to the proportional system, but the recent
parliamentary election followed by mass protest actions demonstrated
the inconsistency of the system", Davtyan said.
The MP added that the changes proposed by the opposition should be
introduced with due regard for the voters' opinion, i.e. such issues
should be put to referendum. Given that only 4 months are left before
the parliamentary election, the prospects for the switch to this
system seem to be vague.
To recall, in a press statement on Dec 27 the opposition Armenian
National Congress expressed its solidarity with the Heritage and ARFD
parties' initiative to shift to 100% proportional electoral system.
The ANC believes that this shift will make elections in Armenia fair
and transparent and is ready to cooperate with any party to this end.
Heritage and ARFD believe that by approving their initiative the regime
will prove its commitment to create an atmosphere of tolerance and
consolidation before the elections. According to the current electoral
system, 41 of the 131 parliamentary seats are majoritarian, while 90 -
proportional. The opponents say that lots of "neighborhood leaders"
get into the parliament due to this system.