Thursday, February 6 2020 16:19

ArmInfo. Heated debate broke out in the National Assembly of Armenia over the initiative of the "My Step" bloc to submit a bill on the termination of the powers of the  judges of the Constitutional Court for a referendum.

In particular, the MPs from the My Step bloc Lusine Badalyan and  Gayane Abrahamyan noted that this is a historic day in the history of  Armenia. Both got excited, defending the positions of their bloc.   Badalyan, in particular, noted: "I understand that the opposition is  surprised that the authorities keep their word, and I also understand  that you are surprised by the fact that we want to learn the opinion  of the people on all important issues. But if the parliamentary  majority would decide the issue in the National Assembly, then you  would raise this issue, arrange mourning and bring it to the  attention of international structures. You would note that we  ourselves spoke about the need for a referendum, and did not hold it.  If you see something unconstitutional in our adopted laws then vote   "against", or, apply to the Constitutional Court. You all  underestimate our bloc, but it was we who fulfilled what no one could  imagine. We see the problems and solve them. Citizens of Armenia, we  keep our word!, "the MP emphasized.  Gayane Abrahamyan, in turn, also  said that with today's decision, the government will neutralize the  last bastion of the old government in the country. "Someone will say  that we were late, but better late than never. Earlier, the  government carried out all its vile plans through the Constitutional  Court. They served the interests of the oligarchs.  We believe that  this body should be formed according to the will of the people. We  are not fighting against Hrayr Tovmasyan, we are fighting for the  rule of law and the Constitution, "Abrahamyan concluded.

However, the MP from the Bright Armenia faction Taron Simonyan did  not agree with these proposals. He stated that the authorities can  and have the right to fight, but they are obliged to do so within the  framework of the law. "I listened to the speech of Vahagn  Hovhannisyan, but I did not see any legal justification in it why we  need these changes. They are very superficial, you violate a lot of  legal norms, and then the responsibility for your actions will fall  on you. A commission is formed to implement Constitutional reforms,  all legal issues will be resolved, including the one of the  Constitutional Court, which you have been talking about all the time.  You blame everyone, say that everyone is guilty, but maybe you are  wrong? When the question was raised about the early retirement of the  judges of the Constitutional Court, Venice Commission noted that it  is not right to create a situation, in which the majority of judges  will retire, as it will create an anti-constitutional situation, and  now, if the 7 judges leave work, this very unconstitutional situation  will be created.  You say that you intend to vote against this bill  and put it to a referendum, but my dears, even that way you still can  not hold a referendum. One could at least read the Constitution. It  will be necessary to go through a number of procedures, and only  after that you can hold a referendum. "concluded Simonyan.  To note,  the National Assembly is discussing a bill to amend the Constitution,  according to which the powers of 7 judges of the Constitutional Court  will be terminated. Members of the "My Step" bloc state that they  intend not to pass the law on first reading and organize a  referendum.