new promising era New Promising Era "President" & VP Nikol Pashinian

[MosJan]

Armen Sarkissian Selected as Armenia’s New President

http://asbarez.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/photo-81.jpg

YEREVAN—The Armenian Parliament on Friday voted overwhelmingly to select Dr. Armen Sarkissian as the new president of Armenia, in a move that was widely anticipated given that since his nomination in January, he was endorsed by three out of the four factions represented in the legislature.

With Ruling Party of Armenia, which nominated Sarkissian, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Tsarukian bloc endorsing his candidacy, Armenia’s next president was named in a vote of 90 to 10. He is expected to assume office during a special session of parliament on April 9.

“I want to thank those who voted for me and those who voted against me,” he said. “I will invest my long experience and knowledge and my entire energy in properly performing the duties of Armenia’s president and properly serving the Republic of Armenia, its citizens and our people.”

“And I certainly expect your and our citizens’ support for and participation in our future important victories,” added the president-elect.

Following the parliament voter Sarkissian met with President Serzh Sarkisian at the presidential compound, where the president offered his congratulations to the incoming leader. He also pledged that in the upcoming 40 days, his staff and other resources in his office, as well as the public officials for transition-related matters.

[MosJan]

http://asbarez.com/170721/armen-sarkissian-selected-as-armenias-new-president/

[MosJan]

i just don;t get the Selected parts

[MosJan]

Armenian parliament elects ex-PM Sarkissian as country's president
Hasmik Mkrtchyan

YEREVAN (Reuters) - Armenia’s parliament chose Armen Sarkissian as the country’s new president on Friday in a vote that is meant to herald the start of a power shift to the country’s prime minister and parliament.

[MosJan]

Պուտինը շնորհավորել է Արմեն Սարգսյանին
Պուտինը շնորհավորել է Արմեն Սարգսյանին
2 մարտի 2018 - 17:54 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - ՌԴ նախագահ Վլադիմիր Պուտինը շնորհավորել է Արմեն Սարգսյանին ՀՀ նախագահի պաշտոնում ընտրվելու կապակցությամբ:

Շնորհավորական ուղերձում ՌԴ նախագահը հույս է հայտնել, որ Արմեն Սարգսյանի գործունեությունն այս բարձր պաշտոնում կնպաստի հայ-ռուսական հարաբերությունների հետագա զարգացմանն ու եվրասիական ինտեգրման խորացմանն ՝ ի շահ երկու երկրների եղբայրական ժողովրդների, հայտնում է Կրեմլի մամուլի ծառայությունը:

Մարտի 2-ին ՀՀ Ազգային ժողովը Հայաստանի չորրորդ նախագահ է ընտրել Արմեն Սարգսյանին: Հանրապետության նախագահի ընտրության քվեարկության արդյունքներն ամփոփել է ՀՀ ԱԺ ժամանակավոր հաշվիչ հանձնաժողովի նախագահ Գագիկ Մելիքյանը: 105 պատգամավորներից քվեարկությանը մասնակցել է 101-ը, անվավեր է ճանաչվել 1 քվեաթերթիկ, 90 պատգամավոր կողմ է քվեարկել, իսկ 10-ը՝ դեմ:

[MosJan]

In EnglishНа русском
Արմեն Սարգսյանն ընտրվել է ՀՀ 4-րդ նախագահ
Արմեն Սարգսյանն ընտրվել է ՀՀ 4-րդ նախագահ
2 մարտի 2018 - 12:04 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Ազգային ժողովը Հայաստանի չորրորդ նախագահ է ընտրել Արմեն Սարգսյանին:

Հանրապետության նախագահի ընտրության քվեարկության արդյունքներն ամփոփել է ՀՀ ԱԺ ժամանակավոր հաշվիչ հանձնաժողովի նախագահ Գագիկ Մելիքյանը: 105 պատգամավորներից քվեարկությանը մասնակցել է 101-ը, անվավեր է ճանաչվել 1 քվեաթերթիկ, 90 պատգամավոր կողմ է քվեարկել, իսկ 10-ը՝ դեմ:

Խորհրդարանի «Հայաստանի Հանրապետական կուսակցություն» և «Հայ Յեղափոխական Դաշնակցություն» խմբակցությունների 65 պատգամավորների գրավոր դիմումով նա նախագահի պաշտոնում առաջադրված միակ թեկնածուն էր։

2018 թվականի փետրվարի 28-ին` ժամը 18:00-ին, լրացել էր Հանրապետության նախագահի առաջադրման ժամկետը:

Հունվարի 19-ին ՀՀ գործող նախագահ Սերժ Սարգսյանը իշխող Հանրապետական կուսակցության ՀՀ 4-րդ նախագահի թեկնածու էր առաջադրել Արմեն Սարգսյանին։

Նա ծնվել է 1953 թվականի հունիսի 23-ին՝ Երևանում: Ավարտել է ԵՊՀ տեսական ֆիզիկայի և մաթեմատիկայի ֆակուլտետը: Արդեն 23 տարեկանում դարձել է ԵՊՀ-ում ֆիզիկայի դասախոս, հիմնադրել տեսական ֆիզիկայի կոմպլեքս համակարգերի համակարգչային մոդելավորման բաժինը: Սարգսյանը ղեկավարում էր ՀՀ դիվանագիտական առաքելությունը մինչև 1995 թվականը։ Հետագայում ևս երկու անգամ՝ 1998-2000 և 2013-ից առ այսօր, վերանշանակվել է այդ պաշտոնում: 1995-1996–ին Եվրոպական միությունում ղեկավարել է Հայաստանի առաքելությունը:

1996 թվականի նոյեմբերի 1-ին Արմեն Սարգսյանը դարձել է Հայաստանի 5-րդ վարչապետը, սակայն, պաշտոնավարելով ընդամենը 4 ամիս, 1997 թվականի փետրվարի 28-ին հեռացել է:

http://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/252655/

[MosJan]

Armen Sarkissian elected as new Armenian president
March 2, 2018 - 13:37 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian National Assembly on Friday, March 2 elected Armen Sarkissian as the country’s president to succeed Serzh Sargsyan, as the nation is making a transition from a presidential system of government to a parliamentary one.

Out of the 105 lawmakers attending the session, 101 cas their ballots on Friday, with 90 MOs voting in favor and 10 voting against.

The parliament can elect a president with a three-quarters majority under the terms of the amended constitution approved in 2015 in a referendum.

Under the amended constitution, however, the presidency becomes largely ceremonial and power shifts to the prime minister and parliament.

[MosJan]

Putin congratulates newly-elected Armenian president
March 2, 2018 - 18:19 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian president Vladimir Putin congratulated newly-elected president of Armenia Armen Sarkissian on Friday, March 2.

In his message, Putin expressed hope that Sarkissian’s presidency will contribute to the development of Armenia-Russia relations and help deepen Eurasian integration.

The Armenian National Assembly on Friday elected Sarkissian as the country’s president to succeed Serzh Sargsyan, as the nation is making a transition from a presidential system of government to a parliamentary one.

Out of the 105 lawmakers attending the session, 101 cast their ballots, with 90 MPs voting in favor and 10 voting against.

[Yervant1]

Because Serge can't run for a third time for president changed the constitution in order to retain power. We poor souls here are dreaming that corruption will end, who knows maybe someday.

[Yervant1]

Serge leave politics, two terms are enough go and enjoy your wealth that you accumulated we don't need dynasties. Give other voices a chance!

Deutsche Welle, Germany

March 2 2018

Armenia: Armen Sargsyan elected into new, less powerful presidential role

Armenian lawmakers have voted in a former Cambridge professor and envoy to the UK as the next head of state. The opposition is worried, however, that the departing president will find a way to stay in power.

http://www.dw.com/image/42795494_303.jpg

Armenia's president-elect, Armen Sargsyan

The Armenian parliament elected Armen Sargsyan – the only candidate considered by lawmakers on Friday – as its next president. The 64-year-old diplomat is set to take over after the current president Serzh Sargsyan steps down later this month.

Armen Sargsyan previously taught physics at Cambridge University, served three terms as Armenia's ambassador to the UK and filled other key diplomatic posts across Europe.

The president-elect shares a last name with the strongman Serzh Sargsyan, but the two politicians are not related.

Addressing the lawmakers after the Friday vote, Armen Sargsyan said he would use "all his knowledge and experience" to serve Armenia.

"I expect your contribution and participation, as well as contribution and participation of all citizens in the import victories of the future," he said.

Slipping presidential powers

The new president is set to see his powers severely limited as the country implements a controversial constitutional reform in April. Under the reform initiated in 2015, the nation will transfer key elements of presidential authority to the prime minister, including the command of the army and the oversight of the security apparatus.

The new president, who is set to stay in office for the next seven years, seems set to be reduced to a figurehead.

http://www.dw.com/image/41524670_401.jpg

President Serzh Sargsyan is described as pro-Moscow

The ruling party of Serzh Sargsyan has defended the changes as a way to boost democracy and improve the division of powers among the branches of government. The party says the constitutional amendments will grant more "levers" to the opposition.

Read more: Armenians vote in divisive referendum

Old leader to stay on?

The government opponents, however, claim the reform is simply aimed at allowing President Serzh Sargsyan to maintain power by switching to the post of prime minister. They also accuse the government of influencing the outcome of the 2015 referendum that ushered in the reform.

Serzh Sargsyan has hinted he would "remain active" politically after stepping down.

The current leader is a former military officer who served as prime minister from 2007-2008, before winning his first term as president. Some of his supporters say he would be the best candidate to return to the post, praising his experience in navigating the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan.

http://www.dw.com/en/armenia-armen-sargsyan-elected-into-new-less-powerful-presidential-role/a-42797330

 

 

Edited March 3, 2018 by Yervant1

[MosJan]

Because Serge can't run for a third time for president changed the constitution in order to retain power. We poor souls here are dreaming that corruption will end, who knows maybe someday.

 

dreaming is the key word

[MosJan]

Serj will still run the clan

[Yervant1]

dreaming is the key word

 

Tired of dreaming barekam, even a nightmare comes to an end. Don't they have sense of dignity and honour or responsibility for motherland. Wake up Armenian people for a peaceful uprising.

[onjig]

So ~ this is not the start of better times? This ~ you think will be ~ the same old ~ same old?

[Yervant1]

So ~ this is not the start of better times? This ~ you think will be ~ the same old ~ same old?

Let me put it this way. Had we had a honest government devoid of corruption and embezzlement, we would be far better than we are now. Yes there is progress because of some hard working patriots who invest in Armenia against all the odds and difficulties, we should be much better than now.

[MosJan]

Ehhh Yexpayr jan ehhhh

[Yervant1]

ArmInfo, Armenia
March 5 2017


Nikol Pashinyan: The only thing that can force Serzh Sargsyan to
abandon the post of prime minister is the will of the people

Yerevan March 5

Ani Mshetsyan. The only thing that can force Serzh Sargsyan to abandon
the post of prime minister is the will of the people, as "The voice of
the people, the voice of God." This was announced by the head of the
Yelk faction Nikol Pashinyan at a briefing in the National Assembly of
Armenia on March 5.

Pashinyan noted that all the actions of the Elk faction, aimed at
removing Serzh Sargsyan from power, will depend solely on the will of
the people. The head of the Elk faction stressed the fact that the
movement of the timing of the election of the prime minister, as well
as the statements of RPA representatives about the irreplaceability of
Serzh Sargsyan, indicate that he will be nominated for the post of
prime minister.

"If the people say their decisive word, and as many people leave the
street as on March 1, 2008, I guarantee that we will prevent the next
reproduction of Sargsyan." We have the dictatorship of the Prime
Minister, and all this is being done to ensure the absolute power of
Serzh Sargsyan We can not do anything without the support of Armenian
citizens, but we will certainly fulfill their will, "the deputy said.

He also noted the fact that Serzh Sargsyan could not properly fulfill
his duties even when he was the Minister of National Security. "The
terrorist act in the parliament on October 27 was the result of the
fact that Serzh Sargsyan did not properly fulfill his duties in this
position, and then, the most efficient army in the region, the legacy
of Vazgen Sargsyan, our president turned into a" purse. "In addition,
during the April war it became obvious that our army is in a very bad
condition and uses weapons of the 1980s, but this did not serve him as
a lesson and instead of strengthening and strengthening the Armed
Forces, Serzh Sargsyan decided to ensure Armenia's security by signing
various kind of meaningless agreements and arrangements, "the deputy
said.

[Yervant1]

As expected, nothing new same old!

News.am, Armenia

March 7 2018

Newspaper: Armenia’s Tsarukyan bloc to vote for President Serzh Sargsyan as next PM

10:56, 07.03.2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YEREVAN. – After voting in favor of Armen Sarkissian who was nominated presidential candidate by incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia, the Tsarukyan bloc has an unannounced decision to vote also in favor of prime ministerial candidate Serzh Sargsyan, according to Zhamanak (Time) newspaper.

“Tsarukyan bloc head [National Assembly “Tsarukyan” Faction head, Prosperous Armenia Party Chairman, and tycoon] Gagik Tsarukyan has at least three reasons for such decision.

“By Serzh Sargsyan’s suggestion, Gagik Tsarukyan supported Armen Sarkissian [as the next President], and now he cannot personally vote against Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy [as the next PM].

“[Also,] Gagik Tsarukyan is grateful to Serzh Sargsyan for his [Tsarukyan’s] political rehabilitation, and he will repay for that by voting in favor [of Sargsyan].

“Besides, Tsarukyan is concerned that even if he himself decides that the bloc—led by him—shall vote against prime ministerial candidate Serzh Sargsyan, not all the MPs of the bloc will carry out that decision, especially since, unlike the presidential election which was secret ballot [in parliament], the election of Prime Minister is nominal,” wrote Zhamanak.

https://news.am/eng/news/439883.html

 

 

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Baron Sarksyan give others a chance, retire already and enjoy the plunder!

Voice of America

April 10 2018

Armenia's Ruling Party to Nominate ex-President Sarksyan for PM

YEREVAN —

Armenia's ruling party is set to nominate ex-president Serzh Sarksyan to be prime minister, the government's press service said on Monday.

Armenia is in the process of shifting power to the prime minister after parliament chose a new president in March.

"We have decided to propose to our party colleagues to keep an existing governing configuration and to submit the candidacy of Serzh Sarksyan as prime minister," the press service quoted Acting Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan as saying.

The ruling party is expected to nominate Sarksyan at its party gathering on Thursday. Parliament, dominated by the ruling party, will make a final choice on April 17.

Sarksyan's ally - Armen Sarkissian, a former prime minister and ambassador to Britain - was inaugurated as president on Monday after being elected by parliament on March 2 in a vote that was meant to herald the start of a power shift to the prime minister and parliament.

Under the terms of an amended constitution approved in 2015 by a referendum, the presidency is meant to become largely ceremonial.

Opposition leaders have accused Sarksyan of changing the system to ensure he stays in power, and have been holding protest rallies in recent weeks. Hundreds of protesters gathered in the center of Yerevan again on Monday.

Armenia, a country of around 3 million people in the southern Caucasus, seceded from the Soviet Union in 1991, but remains dependent on Russia for aid and investment. Many Armenians accuse the government of corruption and mishandling the economy.

This story was written by Reuters.

https://www.voanews.com/a/armenia-ruling-party-to-nominate-ex-president-sarksyan-for-prime-minister-/4339364.html

 

 

[Yervant1]

Here is your prime minister for life! NOT.

Panorama, Armenia

April 11 2018

Serzh Sargsyan to be nominated as prime minister of Armenia

The Executive Board of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has discussed the candidacy of the future prime minister of Armenia and the board members have unilaterally approved the candidacy of the third president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to be nominated for the post of prime minister. As RPA spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov stated at the press conference following the board session, the ruling party is expected to officially nominate Sargsyan on Monday.

Parliament, where the ruling party holds majority, will vote on the candidacy of the prime minister on April 17.

In Sharmazanov's words, RPA Executive Board members highly value of Serzh Sargsyan's experience, his vision and approaches of the state development. He added, no names other than Serzh Sargsyan for the post of prime minister have been discussed in the meeting.

https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2018/04/11/Serzh-Sargsyan/1932430

 

 

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

it's like herpes

[Yervant1]

It's a good start! I hope this inspires others as well that the country needs this.

News.am, Armenia

April 12 2018

Newspaper: New Armenia President to give his salary to charity

10:58, 12.04.2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YEREVAN. – Fourth President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian will give his entire salary to charity. Hasmik Petrosyan, the person in charge of Sarkissian’s office, told this to Haykakan Zhamanak (Armenian Times; HZh) newspaper.

“According to the latter [Petrosyan], Sarkissian has decided to get his salary and do charity [with it], but it is not clear yet as to which organizations the amount will be transferred to. (…). Armen Sarkissian had turned down his salary also during his years of working as ambassador [to the UK].

“To HZh’s other question—Will Armen Sarkissian live in the [presidential] service apartment?—Hasmik Petrosyan informed that, for now, he will live at his [own] home in the capital city [Yerevan].

“The President’s service house is located at the address of 74 Dzorap [street] (…). Also, he will have a state-owned summer residence in Sevan [town] (…). He will be provided with a special motor vehicle. A personal doctor is set aside to track the Republic president’s health condition,” wrote Haykakan Zhamanak.

https://news.am/eng/news/445865.html

 

 

[Yervant1]

EuroNews

April 13 2018

Armenia’s changing political system: a parliamentary republic or the President’s third term?

By Srbuhy Martirosyan and Nikolay Torosyan

Armenia has just sworn in a new president and next week parliament is set to elect a new prime minister, concluding a controversial transition from a semi-presidential system of government to a parliamentary one. However, many remain sceptical.

On Monday, Armen Sarkissian, a former ambassador to Britain, was sworn in as the country’s fourth president, while Parliament is slated to vote for a new prime minister on April 17. Sarkissian briefly held the prime minister’s post in the 1990s and has many high-profile connections in international scientific and business circles. As President, his new role will have a largely ceremonial function, while power will now be with the prime minister.

On Wednesday, the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) announced its intention to nominate former president Serzh Sargsyan, who has been in office for the last ten years, for the powerful prime minister’s office.

Amid criticisms that Sargsyan is simply maintaining his iron-grip on power, supporters say security reasons make his continuing rule necessary. Armenia is blockaded by Turkey and Azerbaijan amid an armed confrontation with the latter over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In April 2016, renewed fighting lasted four days during which hundreds died on both sides.

Sargsyan’s plan for constitutional change dates back to 2014. The following year, a referendum on the constitutional amendment received a resounding ‘yes’ with 63% of the vote, according to official data. However, the political opposition disputed the results, which they claim had been rigged in order for Sargsyan to maintain his power.

In July 2016, Sargsyan repelled an attempt to force him out of power. A group of armed men stormed and occupied a police patrol department, demanding his resignation. Over the following days, large-scale demonstrations were held in solidarity with the gunmen. After negotiations that lasted a little over two weeks, the gunmen agreed to surrender. Three police officers were killed, and dozens of citizens were hurt over this period. Following the events, a new government was formed with the appointment of former ArmRosGazprom chief executive Karen Karapetyan to the prime minister’s office.

‘The current system is formed around a single person who can control and balance it’

Davit Sanasaryan, an activist who participated in the demonstrations of July 2016, believes that unlike the authorities who have launched anti-democratic practices, civil society groups and some political forces are trying to start a democratic process by carrying out peaceful campaigns against Sargsyan’s leadership.

“It’s not clear at this moment which way the scale will tip, the success of democracy depends on the society’s involvement, without which the situation created by the authorities will remain unchanged” Sanasaryan says.

He believes if the ruling circles take sharp anti-democratic steps, the emergence of new armed groups and attempts to overthrow the government by force cannot be ruled out.

“As a supporter of peaceful disobedience, I hope everything will be done to prevent possible armed struggles,” Sanasaryan says.

Given the parliamentary majority of Sargsyan’s Republican Party and its coalition partner, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), he is unlikely to face any obstacles to his election as premier. Outside the ruling coalition, the Tsarukyan bloc, headed by business magnate Gagik Tsarukyan, is also refraining from joining protests against Sargsyan’s leadership and is generally uncritical of him. It was also in favour of Sarkissian’s election for president. The Yelk bloc, which consists of three opposition parties, has been divided as only one of them – the Civil Contract party – has said it is prepared to take to the streets and fight against Sargsyan’s rule.

Lena Nazaryan, one of its lawmakers, explained why it is important to fight this premiership even if power remains in the hands of his party. “The current system is formed around a single person who can control and balance it,” Nazaryan says. “But when the system loses its head, all the other elements panic, and internal disagreements surface.”

Weighing in on the current power system in place, Nazaryan said Sargsyan is concentrating economic monopolies in the hands of people close to the authorities, and blamed him for “a politicized justice system and a lack of fair trial.”

“Improper sentences will always be handed in politically motivated trials, even if there is an element of crime,” she said.

Nazaryan also accused the former president of reinforcing corruption in the electoral system, claiming that election bribes are disseminated ahead of each vote.

“If he continues ruling the country, nothing will change. The society has adapted to this situation and doesn’t fight against it,” she added.

A shift headed for democracy?

Republican Party deputy chairman Armen Ashotyan, meanwhile, rejected accusations that the political shift was anti-democratic.

“It’s hard to explain how a parliamentary model of government can be less democratic than a semi-presidential one,” Ashotyan said.

Describing the opposition’s presence in parliament as unprecedented, the lawmaker says 40% of National Assembly represents the opposition, while a further 25% of the parliamentary leadership posts and 33% of standing committees are given to the opposition. The latter two, however, are comprised exclusively of the Tsarukyan bloc.

According to him, the country is now in the process of obtaining a parliamentary government experience. “The current solutions certainly presuppose more transparent, democratic and participatory management than previously,” he says.

Ashotyan also argued no official decision had been made on Sargsyan’s possible tenure as the country’s prime minister, and that critics of the ruling party misinterpret the current situation.

“The RPA and its coalition partner ARF formed a majority in 2017, which means political decisions will be implemented by the political majority,” the lawmaker said.

“So the issue of reproducing or continuing Sargsyan’s rule was not the question. This is only about the vote of confidence that the RPA received in 2017 and the formation of a new parliamentary system by 2022."

He also drew comparisons to EU countries, adding, "Meanwhile, in some member states of the European Union, like Germany and Hungary, personal leadership is gaining even a fourth term.”

The public’s resignation

Hrant Mikaelian, a political scientist and researcher at the Caucasus Institute, believes that the key goal of the shift in the form of government was to distribute power among the various branches of the government.

The transition to a parliamentary system, according to him, was made by Sargsyan to ensure power was not concentrated in the presidential office after his possible departure as president at the end of his second five-year term.

He believes that the political opposition’s chances of success are low, as people are disappointed with both the authorities and the opposition, and do not understand how they will benefit from any changes.

http://www.euronews.com/2018/04/12/armenia-s-changing-political-system-a-parliamentary-republic-or-the-president-s-third-term