If necessary, Prosperous Armenia is ready to support other parties in appealing to the Constitutional Court with regard to adoption of the new bill “On legal regime of the state of emergency”.

“If necessary, we will also join the call of other parties for appeal to the Constitutional Court,” vice-speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Samvel Balasanyan declared.

For her part, representative of the Prosperous Armenia party Naira Zohrabyan added the lawyers are now studying the new law following which they will submit their proposals on the matter.

Head of the parliamentary group of the Republican Party of Armenia Galust Sahakyan emphasized that all necessary amendments have already been introduced into the bill, and he does not think any new proposals are required, nor there is need to address the Constitutional Court.

For her part, head of Orinats Yerkir parliamentary group Heghine Bisharyan stressed she believes the new bill is in line with the Constitution. She said she cannot believe the army will confront the people. “I think army is meant to protect the people and not confront them; I don’t believe army will be used against people”.

Agreement of 27 MPs is required to file an appeal to the Constitutional Court.

The National Assembly of Armenia passed the bill “On legal regime of the state of emergency” with 67 votes for and 1 against; opposition MPs boycotted the bill and did not vote at all.

The new draft law “On legal regime of the state of emergency” was adopted in the National Assembly of Armenia on February 9, 2012 in the first reading. Then Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan called the bill back for amendment.

The revised bill was submitted to the parliament again. Opposition believes this bill is unconstitutional since it gives the President personal authorities to declare a state of emergency (the president consults the prime minister and the speaker of the parliament but takes the decision independently), as well as envisages involvement of army to eliminate the threat that resulted in a state of emergency.