President Serzh Sarkisian on Wednesday again claimed to be having second thoughts about turning Armenia into a parliamentary republic as part of a constitutional reform initiated by him.
“The approval of the [reform] concept doesn’t mean that we have made a final decision to put a [corresponding] text to a popular vote,” he said. “Because, as I pointed out at those meetings [with opposition parties,] I am still not fully convinced and I still see no clarity on two very important issues connected with internal stability and security, notably management of the armed forces.”
“I will make a final decision as soon as I see a clear picture,” Sarkisian added, answering a question from RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) during an international media forum in Yerevan.
The concept in question was put forward late last year by an ad hoc presidential commission tasked with proposing sweeping amendments to Armenia’s constitution. It calls for Armenia’s transition to a parliamentary system of governance in which the president of the republic performs largely ceremonial functions.
Sarkisian formally approved the 49-page reform framework on Friday, while voicing misgivings about the wisdom of the radical change envisaged by it. He also instructed the commission to consider proposals from opposition parties.
Opponents of the reform, notably the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK), have portrayed Sarkisian’s ambiguous stance as further proof he is keen to stay in power after 2018, rather than facilitate Armenia’s democratization.