ArmInfo.The process of implementing the impeachment procedure for the Prime Minister of Armenia is at the
discussion stage. MP from the "Hayastan" opposition faction, Gegham Manukan, reported this to RFE/RL's Armenian Service , noting that we are talking about both securing the signatures of 36 MPs necessary to
initiate the process, and the candidate for the post of new prime minister.
"Legal and technical issues will be clarified later," Manukyan noted.
Earlier today, members of the "Civil Contract" ruling faction, in a
conversation with RFE/RL's Armenian Service, ruled out any of them
joining the impeachment procedure.
On May 9, a protest was held on Republic Square in Yerevan. Bishop
Bagrat Galstanyan stated that the head of the current government had
failed to govern the country in all areas, and therefore he demanded
his resignation. After the demand was rejected by the ruling faction,
Srbazan announced that Prime Minister Pashinyan had ignored <those
who elected him>, so a vote of no confidence should be passed against
him in parliament. He also called for strikes and a boycott of
classes.
According to Article 115 of the RA Constitution, a draft resolution
of the National Assembly on expressing no confidence in the Prime
Minister can be submitted by at least one third of the total number
of MPs only if the draft resolution simultaneously proposes the
candidacy of a new Prime Minister. In other words, it is necessary to
collect signatures from at least 36 out of MPs. The "Hayastan"
(<Armenia>) (29) and "I have the honor" (6) opposition factions
together have 35 MPs, which means the signature of one more MP is
needed. In this case, the parliamentary opposition must either
convince Ishkhan Zakaryan, who left the "I Have the Honor" faction in
2021, to join them, or convince someone from the ruling faction.
Further, the draft resolution of the National Assembly on expressing
no confidence in the Prime Minister is put to a vote no earlier than
forty-eight and no later than seventy-two hours after its
presentation. The resolution is adopted by a majority vote of the
total number of MPs - by a roll-call vote. That is, to vote on
impeachment, at least 54 votes are needed, and the opposition needs
to secure the votes of 18 more MPs. If the resolution is adopted, the
Prime Minister is considered to have resigned.
It should be remembered that if a draft resolution of the National
Assembly on expressing no confidence in the Prime Minister is not
adopted, then such a draft can be presented no earlier than six
months later. A draft resolution of the National Assembly on
expressing no confidence in the Prime Minister cannot be submitted
during a state of emergency or martial law.
