Artsakh lawmaker comments on Speaker’s statement regarding possible snap election

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. The head of the Free Motherland faction of the Artsakh Parliament Arthur Harutyunyan says Speaker Arthur Tovmasyan’s statement on not ruling out possible snap presidential and parliamentary elections stem from the process of discussions regarding constitutional amendments and subsequent governance model changes that had begun last year.

Harutyunyan told ARMENPRESS that there is no bill or clarification about constitutional changes yet.

“There are working discussions. Upon completing these discussions, certainly in case of necessity there will be discussions on elections too. If these constitutional changes happen, then we will have to hold new elections, which will stem from the new model of government,” Harutyunyan said.

Speaking about opportunities for overcoming the crisis in case of snap elections and transitioning to a new system of administration, the lawmaker expressed certainty that a semi-presidential model is more effective in the existing situation than a full presidential system under the current Constitution.

“While speaking about effective governance during the crisis, what matters is the constitutional amendments and not the elections, and the changes will lead to a more effective crisis management. Then, as I said, if that happens, a necessity might appear to discuss whether or not elections should be organized,” Harutyunyan said. He said that discussions on constitutional changes continue.

Van Novikov