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ERA OF OLIGARCHS' ARBITRARINESS ENDS
Naira Hayrumyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/comments26630.html
Published: 15:56:53 - 21/06/2012
The very first session of the National Assembly showed that not
only the authorities but the entire political system of the country
is changing.
The harsh criticism the program of the government encountered
in the National Assembly proved that the institution of political
responsibility is being formed in Armenia. And even if the Republican
Party approves and affirms confidence in government, everyone knows
that the parliament stages a real harsh political fight.
An important change took place. What had previously been called by
the authorities opposition's populism has now become a demand of
responsibility. Not the program of the government but the extent of
responsibility of the prime minister for the emigration, the rate
of dram, the growth of poverty and economic decline in general is
discussed.
During independence, the institution of political accountability
has never been operational in Armenia. People could be arrested
for stealing a chicken, while the collapse of the entire economy
was considered just a mistake, and everyone has the right to make
mistakes. The institution of responsibility is not laid down in the
legislation. The judges who pass verdicts which are later dismissed
by courts of higher instance are never held responsible.
The next step of the opposition should be institutionalization of
responsibility. The current and former authorities who did not have
adequate opposition and political opponents did everything they could
to deprive the society and their opponents of mechanism of control
and accountability, recall or resignation in case of defaults.
Now there is opposition in Armenia, and it is proven in the first
session of parliament. But the opposition will never come to power if
it does not insist on the introduction of the institution of political
responsibility and revocation of the ruling forces. Democratic
governance is a very simple mechanism. People elect those who bring
the best program, monitor its implementation, and if the promises are
not met, they do not re-elect the same party but hold it responsible.
Armenia has even taken away the right to monitor implementation of
election pledges.
If the parliamentary opposition succeeds in introducing this
mechanism, it may ensure full democratic transition of the political
system. Although it is minority in the parliament, the opposition can
do that. Strange though it may seem, with the help of the president.
Whatever is said about Serzh Sargsyan upholding the interests of the
oligarchic class, the latter is evidently becoming a burden for him,
and he wants to create mechanisms to curb the oligarchs and his own
party. He will hardly be proud of the incident in Harsnakar or Samvel
Alexanyan's cynical reaction.
The best mechanism is the opposition. It is not accidental that Serzh
Sargsyan did everything he could to have the whole opposition enter
the parliament. Judging by the confusion of Hovik Abrahamyan and
stunned Republicans who are not used to resistance, Serzh Sargsyan
has succeeded.
Oligarchs are also stunned because they suddenly met people in
parliament who can show them to their real place. And it does not
matter that Samvel Alexanyan swaggers and Galust Sahakyan shouts. They
understand that the good days have passed, and true political fight
has started.
The most important thing is that all this is shown on TV, and
now everyone knows that Stepan Demirchyan or Nikol may show Samvel
Alexanyan to his place. The era of arbitrariness of the oligarchs is
coming to an end. Another shock and it will die.
Naira Hayrumyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/comments26630.html
Published: 15:56:53 - 21/06/2012
The very first session of the National Assembly showed that not
only the authorities but the entire political system of the country
is changing.
The harsh criticism the program of the government encountered
in the National Assembly proved that the institution of political
responsibility is being formed in Armenia. And even if the Republican
Party approves and affirms confidence in government, everyone knows
that the parliament stages a real harsh political fight.
An important change took place. What had previously been called by
the authorities opposition's populism has now become a demand of
responsibility. Not the program of the government but the extent of
responsibility of the prime minister for the emigration, the rate
of dram, the growth of poverty and economic decline in general is
discussed.
During independence, the institution of political accountability
has never been operational in Armenia. People could be arrested
for stealing a chicken, while the collapse of the entire economy
was considered just a mistake, and everyone has the right to make
mistakes. The institution of responsibility is not laid down in the
legislation. The judges who pass verdicts which are later dismissed
by courts of higher instance are never held responsible.
The next step of the opposition should be institutionalization of
responsibility. The current and former authorities who did not have
adequate opposition and political opponents did everything they could
to deprive the society and their opponents of mechanism of control
and accountability, recall or resignation in case of defaults.
Now there is opposition in Armenia, and it is proven in the first
session of parliament. But the opposition will never come to power if
it does not insist on the introduction of the institution of political
responsibility and revocation of the ruling forces. Democratic
governance is a very simple mechanism. People elect those who bring
the best program, monitor its implementation, and if the promises are
not met, they do not re-elect the same party but hold it responsible.
Armenia has even taken away the right to monitor implementation of
election pledges.
If the parliamentary opposition succeeds in introducing this
mechanism, it may ensure full democratic transition of the political
system. Although it is minority in the parliament, the opposition can
do that. Strange though it may seem, with the help of the president.
Whatever is said about Serzh Sargsyan upholding the interests of the
oligarchic class, the latter is evidently becoming a burden for him,
and he wants to create mechanisms to curb the oligarchs and his own
party. He will hardly be proud of the incident in Harsnakar or Samvel
Alexanyan's cynical reaction.
The best mechanism is the opposition. It is not accidental that Serzh
Sargsyan did everything he could to have the whole opposition enter
the parliament. Judging by the confusion of Hovik Abrahamyan and
stunned Republicans who are not used to resistance, Serzh Sargsyan
has succeeded.
Oligarchs are also stunned because they suddenly met people in
parliament who can show them to their real place. And it does not
matter that Samvel Alexanyan swaggers and Galust Sahakyan shouts. They
understand that the good days have passed, and true political fight
has started.
The most important thing is that all this is shown on TV, and
now everyone knows that Stepan Demirchyan or Nikol may show Samvel
Alexanyan to his place. The era of arbitrariness of the oligarchs is
coming to an end. Another shock and it will die.