Armenian parliament holding special session

The Armenian National Assembly is holding an emergency session on Tuesday with two items on the agenda.

Lawmakers are set to debate the package of draft laws on amendments and supplements to the constitutional law on the Constitutional Court and on amendments to the law on ensuring the activities, service and social guarantees of officials.

MPs will also debate a draft decision on declaring invalid the parliament’s February 6 decision on holding a constitutional referendum.

Opening the session, Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan said that the issues on the agenda will be discussed by a special procedure, according to which the issues will be discussed in the second reading within 24 hours after being adopted in the first reading, with 3 hours set for written proposals.

Ruling My Step faction MP Vahagn Hovakimyan reminded that the constitutional amendments approved by the parliamentary majority on June 22 came into force on June 26, adding now the transitional provisions of Article 88 of the law on the Constitutional Court need to be brought in line with the new version of Article 213 of the Constitution.

"This is a pressing issue, as the law factually runs counter to the Constitution, and we must resolve this problem. Accordingly, we suggest that the issues on the agenda of the special session be discussed by a special procedure,” he said.

Two out of the three parliamentary forces are taking part in the special session as the opposition Prosperous Armenia faction has boycotted it.