Armenia proposes revised oath text for Cabinet members

Parliament on Monday began its plenary session with first-reading debates on a government-drafted bill presented by Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan seeking to revise the oath text for Cabinet members, arguing that the current text does not fully reflect key elements of the state’s continuity, responsibility toward future generations, and the strengthening and development of statehood.

Galyan told lawmakers that the concepts used in the proposed new text were selected to reflect the foundations of the Republic of Armenia’s statehood, the principles of democratic governance, and the constitutional mission of a Cabinet member.

The minister said the proposed oath would include the wording “for the continuity, sovereignty and development of the Republic of Armenia.”

“‘Continuity’ refers to the continued existence and stability of the Republic of Armenia, ‘sovereignty’ to the state’s authority to make independent decisions, and ‘development’ to the state’s progress and ensuring its well-being,” Galyan explained.

The bill also proposes retaining the provision “uphold the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Armenia,” which emphasizes a Cabinet member’s duty to act in accordance with the Constitution and laws.

“The wording ‘serve the public interest’ establishes that a Cabinet member’s activities must be aimed at ensuring the public interest and must not be determined by the interests of private individuals or particular groups. The wording ‘protect the state interest’ links a Cabinet member’s duty to the protection of the state interests of the Republic of Armenia within the scope of exercising their powers,” the minister added.

Galyan said the provision “contribute to strengthening the statehood and constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia” envisages activities by a Cabinet member aimed at strengthening state institutions and the constitutional order. The wording “act in the interests of present and future generations” emphasizes consideration of long-term consequences in a Cabinet member’s activities and the adoption of decisions that also take into account the interests of future generations.

“This approach is aimed at strengthening the principle of intergenerational responsibility in public administration,” the minister said.