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BIPOLAR POLITICAL SYSTEM IMPLIES HIGH-QUALITY MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT
12:14 * 23.10.14
The draft concept for constitutional reforms is expected to raise
the legislative's political role, gradually developing a "classical
bi-polar political system" in Armenia.
The two main poles in the system will be the two major parliamentary
forces vying for seats in the Government (the parliamentary majority
and opposition).
Such a model will practically enable the voter to exercise a
considerable influence on political processes through parliamentary
elections, by deciding which political force is to assume the helm
of state. The second largest parliamentary force, having new and big
leverages of control, will then be able to oppose to the political
majority by expressing its criticism or proposing alternatives,
and influence the public opinion.
In case the model succeeds, the next parliamentary elections will
allow voters to decide - based on previous evaluations and conclusions
- which political force to give preference to. That in turn will
reinforce the core principle of democratic governance, enabling the
population to elect and change its own government.
The adoption of an electoral legislation as a constitutional law
is also deemed to be a key part of the reforms, which requires a
high-quality majority and hence - a wide political consent between the
ruling political force and the opposition. The concept also proposes
differentiated barriers for parties and alliances in an effort to
enlarge political forces and promote collaboration among those which
have keynote programs.
In comments to Tert.am, Head of the National Assembly's Standing
Committee on State and Legal Affairs Hovhannes Sahakyan elaborated
on the proposal for securing a corresponding number of votes to elect
the prime minister. According to him, the procedure does not abolutely
require a high-quality majority
President of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia Avetik Ishkhanyan
says he doesn't think that the quality majority will apply to the
procedures of electing the premier and forming the cabinet. "The draft
in question proposes appointing members of the Justice Council based
on a quality majority," he explained.
Similar mechanisms are proposed for the procedures to elect the
Control Chamber president and the chairman of the Central Election
Commission. The proposed majority of votes is 3/5 of the total number
of ballots (as is the case with electing the human rights defender).
The introduction of organic (constitutional) laws, which also requires
a quality majority, is seen as a key factor in terms of raising the
opposition's legislative role. It is particularly proposed to provide
an exhaustive list of the corresponding laws in the Constitution.
To increase the efficiency of the control functions, the draft
further proposes constitutionalizing the minority's right to create
committees (Under Article 44 of Germany's Constitution, for example,
1/4 of parliament members exercises that right).
Armenian News - Tert.am
12:14 * 23.10.14
The draft concept for constitutional reforms is expected to raise
the legislative's political role, gradually developing a "classical
bi-polar political system" in Armenia.
The two main poles in the system will be the two major parliamentary
forces vying for seats in the Government (the parliamentary majority
and opposition).
Such a model will practically enable the voter to exercise a
considerable influence on political processes through parliamentary
elections, by deciding which political force is to assume the helm
of state. The second largest parliamentary force, having new and big
leverages of control, will then be able to oppose to the political
majority by expressing its criticism or proposing alternatives,
and influence the public opinion.
In case the model succeeds, the next parliamentary elections will
allow voters to decide - based on previous evaluations and conclusions
- which political force to give preference to. That in turn will
reinforce the core principle of democratic governance, enabling the
population to elect and change its own government.
The adoption of an electoral legislation as a constitutional law
is also deemed to be a key part of the reforms, which requires a
high-quality majority and hence - a wide political consent between the
ruling political force and the opposition. The concept also proposes
differentiated barriers for parties and alliances in an effort to
enlarge political forces and promote collaboration among those which
have keynote programs.
In comments to Tert.am, Head of the National Assembly's Standing
Committee on State and Legal Affairs Hovhannes Sahakyan elaborated
on the proposal for securing a corresponding number of votes to elect
the prime minister. According to him, the procedure does not abolutely
require a high-quality majority
President of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia Avetik Ishkhanyan
says he doesn't think that the quality majority will apply to the
procedures of electing the premier and forming the cabinet. "The draft
in question proposes appointing members of the Justice Council based
on a quality majority," he explained.
Similar mechanisms are proposed for the procedures to elect the
Control Chamber president and the chairman of the Central Election
Commission. The proposed majority of votes is 3/5 of the total number
of ballots (as is the case with electing the human rights defender).
The introduction of organic (constitutional) laws, which also requires
a quality majority, is seen as a key factor in terms of raising the
opposition's legislative role. It is particularly proposed to provide
an exhaustive list of the corresponding laws in the Constitution.
To increase the efficiency of the control functions, the draft
further proposes constitutionalizing the minority's right to create
committees (Under Article 44 of Germany's Constitution, for example,
1/4 of parliament members exercises that right).
Armenian News - Tert.am