Armenia to Vote on a Parliamentary Republic Amid Controversy
- Change will boost democracy, security, president says
- Sargsyan bidding to keep power after term ends, opponents say
This article is for subscribers only.
Armenia holds a referendum on Sunday to become a parliamentary republic in a move initiated by President Serzh Sargsyan. Opponents say he’s paving the way to retain power as prime minister when his term ends.
Sargsyan rules the country of 3 million people under a semi-presidential system that allows him to appoint and fire the prime minister as well as control foreign and defense policy. Those powers will transfer to parliament under the proposed constitutional changes and the head of state will be a largely ceremonial figure elected indirectly instead of by popular vote.