Given the current situation in the country, a shift to 100 per cent proportional system of elections will boost political corruption and have “unpredictable consequences,” leader of the Christian-Democratic Union said.

“In practice we see parties not only give but take money as well,” Khosrov Harutyunyan told a press conference in Yerevan.

Harutyunyan stressed that violations and voter bribing during elections are not characteristic of majority deputies only.

As to February 15 hearings on shift to100 per cent proportional system of elections, Harutyunyan says they were just to the point and much effective, “for those eager to listen”. He further added that “these were the classic manifestation of parliamentary hearings, and we must welcome this.”

The Armenian parliament held hearings on February 15 on transfer to 100 per cent proportional system of elections. The opposition Heritage and ARF Dashnaktsutyun parties came up with a joint statement on December 27, 2011 calling on the authorities to cancel the majority electoral system and move to 100 per cent proportional system of elections. The Armenian National Congress (ANC) and a number of other opposition forces backed this initiative. ANC also declared they plan to organize a rally during parliamentary discussions to support the idea.

The coalition Prosperous Armenia party together with the opposition Heritage and ARF Dashnaktsutyun parties addressed the speaker of the National Assembly Samvel Nikoyan on January 26 to organize parliamentary hearings on the issue of moving to 100 per cent proportional system of elections.