Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan has announced that the draft of Armenia’s new Constitution is in active development. In an interview with Public Television, she outlined major anticipated changes.
One of the central reforms will strengthen the powers of the National Assembly and revise the electoral framework. “We aim to decentralize power and enforce checks and balances. In several areas, the National Assembly’s powers will be reinforced,” she said, according to Armenpress.
Galyan revealed that the current model, which guarantees a stable majority in the first round of parliamentary elections, will be scrapped. Instead, if no majority is formed through a single party or coalition, new elections will be held. This means stable majorities will only emerge after second elections, not through vote redistribution.
She clarified that this will not be a run-off between top parties, but an entirely new election open to all participants, designed to avoid perpetual electoral deadlock.
The plan also includes expanding parliamentary authority during the government formation process. Permanent parliamentary committees would be empowered to question cabinet nominees and issue advisory conclusions during public hearings.
Galyan also noted that the current Constitution lacks provisions for the National Assembly’s self-dissolution. A new mechanism will be introduced to allow it.
Another key reform involves enhancing parliamentary oversight over the use of the Armed Forces. Under the proposed changes, the National Assembly would have to approve any decision to deploy the military outside Armenia’s borders.
