Armenia's Controversial Transition to a Parliamentary System

Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary system, concluding with the election of a new prime minister. Critics argue this move is designed to extend former President Serzh Sargsyan's power. Armen Sarkissian has been sworn in as president, a largely ceremonial role, while Sargsyan is expected to be elected as prime minister by the ruling Republican Party of Armenia and its coalition partner, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. The opposition disputes the legitimacy of the constitutional amendment that facilitated this transition, citing a rigged referendum. The Tsarukyan bloc, led by Gagik Tsarukyan, is not opposing Sargsyan, while the Yelk bloc is divided, with only the Civil Contract party willing to protest. Lena Nazaryan of the Civil Contract party criticizes the current system as being too centralized around Sargsyan, leading to economic monopolies and a politicized justice system. Republican Party deputy chairman Armen Ashotyan defends the transition as democratic, and political scientist Hrant Mikaelian sees the public as resigned and skeptical of both the authorities and the opposition.

An interactive brief story on the Four-day war in Nagorno Karabakh in April, 2016