Armenian Parliament's non-governmental 'troika' (Heritage, Prosperous Armenia and Armenian National Congress parties) hopes ARFD will change its stand and continue the combined fight for development of Armenia after the 10 October rally. The statement came from Armen Martirosyan, Vice Chairman of Heritage Party, in a press conference, Thursday.
He said "the troika" and ARFD had certain discrepancies over the president-initiated constitutional reform, as ARFD supports the reform, while "the troika" does not think it a prior issue at the given stage. "The issue of the constitutional reform will be raised at the upcoming rally, while ARFD, as a supporter of the reform, could not come out against it," Martirosyan said.
He explained why Heritage Party that supports the parliamentary system of government is now opposing the constitutional reform. "There are fears that the reform will turn Armenia into a country similar to the German Democratic Republic where a modernized version of CPSU - the Republican Party of Armenia - will be governing," he said. According to him, Heritage would not oppose the reform if the Government accepted the12-point document submitted by the non-governmental four parties and agreed to announce snap parliamentary elections immediately after the constitutional referendum.
"Yet in 2008, we submitted 11 points suggesting also transition to the 100% proportional system of elections, publication of the list the voted citizens, but the authorities disclaimed our suggestions, as they seek to retain power this time through constitutional reform," he said.
On 17 September, ARFD refused to take part in the Oct 10 rally of the parliamentary opposition. Unlike the other three forces constituting the parliamentary opposition, ARFD is going to take part in the forthcoming debates on the constitutional reforms proposed by the government. Even more, it will appear with own proposals.
President of Armenia has initiated the constitutional reform featuring transition to the parliamentary system of government. Serzh Sargsyan assures he does not seek the prime minister's post even in case of transition to the given system.