July 7, 2005 - 09:40 AMT
ARMENIA SUBMITTED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS FINAL DRAFT TO EUROEXPERTS
July 7 Armenia will submit the final draft of constitutional amendments to experts of the Council of Europe Venice Commission. The final touches were put to the draft in the course of a special session of the National Assembly of Armenia July 6, reported Regnum news agency. According to the agreement reached with European experts, the package of constitutional reforms specifically includes items providing for increase of parliamentary power in the course of forming the government, limitation of presidential power in appointing judges, as well as election of the mayor of Armenia's capital of Yerevan. These proposals made by Venice Commission experts coincide with claims of opposition parties, who have been boycotting parliament work for a year and a half. Nevertheless, opposition Republic Party continues rejecting amendments to the Organic Law of the country suggested by the President and the ruling coalition. It should be noted that having considered the final draft of constitutional amendments, Venice Commission experts will present their final summary July 20.