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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has elaborated on what his proposed ‘fourth republic’ will look like.
Pashinyan, speaking at the latest congress of his ruling Civil Contract party, declared that his administration would transform the country into the “fourth republic of Armenia” with an entirely new constitution, should they win the elections.
The current Armenian state is colloquially known as the third republic of Armenia, as the successor to Soviet Armenia, which in turn followed the short-lived First Republic of Armenia (1918–1920).
In a Facebook video on Wednesday, Pashinyan revisited the topic and explained how the “fourth republic” would differ from the current one.
“Many people ask what the difference is between the third republic and the fourth republic. The difference is this: the third republic was founded on the logic of conflict, while the fourth republic is founded on the logic of peace,” Pashinyan said.
“In the third republic, the idea that the constitution was adopted through the free will and vote of the people is highly questionable. In the fourth republic, there should be no such doubt at all. In the third republic, the notion that power belongs to the people is relative and formal; in the fourth republic, it must be clear and indisputable.
And finally, the third republic was about dreaming of a homeland, searching for a homeland — searching for the homeland of our dreams. The fourth republic is about recognizing that the Republic of Armenia is the homeland of our dreams — and that there is no need to search for another,” Pashinyan explained.