ArmInfo. RA President Armen Sarkissian again nominated Artur Vagharshyan for the post of judge of the Constitutional Court.
As reported by the RA President's press service, from April 9, 2018, when Armen Sarkissian took office as president, and until May 30, 2019, he presented to the National Assembly 5 candidates for the position of a Constitutional Court judge.
Parliament rejected 4 of them. Moreover, the president has nominated Artur Vagharshyan for the second time. It was rejected for the first time on May 29, 2019. The decision to nominate was made in order of priority based on a list formed by an advisory working group that was created by the president. At a meeting with representatives of the Commission on Constitutional Amendments, the President noted that the powers he, the General Assembly of Judges and the government / parliament have to appoint judges (rather than nominate candidates) would be more in line with the "logic and spirit" of the Constitution, as well as the goals of judicial and legal reforms.
In this case, in his opinion, everyone would be responsible for their choice. There would be a balance in the Constitutional Court, which would ensure the independence of judges, since they would be free from the influence of political changes. In addition, the most important democratic principle of checks and balances would function effectively and fully, and impartial constitutional justice would be ensured.
It should be noted that earlier the Armenian government decided on its candidate for the position of the Constitutional Court judge. It was Vahram Avetisyan. In its turn the General Assembly of Judges elected Yervand Khundkaryan as a candidate for a judge of the Constitutional Court of Armenia.
To recall, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted amendments to the law "On the Constitutional Court" on June 30. In accordance with them, the powers of all judges of the Constitutional Court are limited to 12 years. After the amendments were adopted, three judges who had worked for over 12 years were dismissed from their posts: Alvina Gyulumyan, Hrant Nazaryan and Felix Tokhyan. The chairman of the court, Hrayr Tovmasyan, has become an ordinary judge. New judges will now be elected instead. -