ArmInfo.The "My Step" faction of the Council of Elders of Yerevan criticized the creation of a commission of inquiry in the National Assembly, which will study a number of aspects of the capital's municipality.
As previously reported, an investigation commission will be created in the Armenian parliament to study agreements on the transfer of vehicles and other property to the Yerevan Municipality, the provision of services by various entities, the transfer by the Yerevan community of real or movable property, including property as well as non-property rights, permits for construction related to them starting in September 2018. It is created by force of law on the basis of the signatures of one quarter of the deputy corps.
The commission will consist of 11 people, and will conduct an investigation for six months. An investigative commission will be headed by member of the Enlightened Armenia faction Ani Samsonian. Meanwhile, in its statement, the "My Step" faction of the Council of Elders notes that the powers of the National Assembly established in the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia do not extend to the investigation or control of the activities of local authorities. In addition, in part 1 of article 23 of the constitutional law <Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly> it is clearly noted that the activities of the commission of inquiry cannot go beyond issues within the jurisdiction of parliament. Thus, although the issues that caused the formation of the aforementioned Commission are of public interest, they are not within the jurisdiction of parliament. It is also indicated that the decision document on the establishment of the Investigative Commission of the National Assembly reflects the functions that, according to the legislation, are the powers of the mayor. The authors of the statement also voiced bewilderment by the fact that the opposition factions of the Council of Elders did not exercise their legal right and did not create an appropriate commission of inquiry within the Council of Elders. <In view of the above, we consider unacceptable the interference of the National Assembly in the activities of the local government in a form not established by law. We also believe that the beginning of such a process is a manifestation of disrespect for the bodies of the Council of Elders and the institution of the mayor>, the statement says. It is also emphasized that the "My Step" faction of the Council of Elders of Yerevan advocates an open discussion of issues of public interest, and is ready, within the framework of its powers, to assist this process, including regarding the issues that caused the formation of the above-mentioned investigation commission in the National Assembly.