POLITICAL STRUCTURE

During the years 1990 to 1995 it was necessary to dissolve the political, legal, social, and economic relationships of the previous political system while simultaneously creating those internal and external attributes denoting an independent state. The political life of the country changed on July 5, 1995, when the citizens voted to adopt the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia. This provided legal guarantees of civil rights, the development of democratic institutions, and the creation of a market economy to secure the future stability of the Armenian state. 

President 

Armenia is a republic with a presidential governing system. On the basis of the Constitution, the President is to provide for the normal activity of the executive, legislative, and judicial authorities. The same person cannot hold the office of president for more than two consecutive terms. The President is directly elected by the people for a five year period. The first president, Levon Ter-Petrossian, was elected on October 16, 1991. 

Government 

The President appoints the Prime Minister (who is subject to a no-confidence vote by the National Assembly) to the executive branch duties and appoints the members of the Government (ministers) at the proposal of the Prime Minister. In March 1997, Mr. Robert Kocharian was appointed the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

The number of the ministries was reduced from 31 to 22. Significant changes in structure include: the Taxation Inspectorate and Customs Administration went under the Ministry of Finance; the Patent Office and the National Copyright Administration under the Ministry of Justice; and the Armenian State Standard and State Privatization Committee under the Ministry of Economy. 

National Assembly 

Legislative powers are exercised by the National Assembly (Parliament); its chairman, currently Babken Ararktsian, is elected by its members. Parliamentary elections were held on July 5, 1995, filling the 190 seats for a five year period. With the next elections the size of Parliament will be reduced to 131 members. The current Parliament formed six permanent committees. The National Assembly is a single-chamber representative body, with members (deputies) elected by a combination of single member district and proportional representation. The National Assembly is convened twice a year: spring session (early February-late June) and fall session (late September-late December). Eztraordinary sessions may be convened at the discretion of the Presidium of the National Assembly, a third of the deputies, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Republic.

Constitutional Court

On December 6, 1995, a Constitutional Court consisting of nine members (five appointed by Parliament and four by the President) was created. The responsibility of this court is to judge the constitutionality of the laws, the Presidential decrees, and the Governmental resolutions. The Court also judges the constitutionality of international agreements and resolves disputes concerning the results of elections and referenda. In September 1995, Mr. Gagik Harutiunian was appointed the Chairman of the Constitutional Court.

THE LAW OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

Chapter 1General Tenets

Chapter 2 The Member Of The Constitutional Court

Chapter 3 Termination Of The Membership Of The Member Of The Constitutional Court

Chapter 4 The Organization Of The Activities Of The Constitutional Court

Chapter 5 The Principles For The Review Of Cases By The Constitutional Court

Chapter 6 The Appeal To The Constitutional Court

Chapter 7 The Preliminary Review Of The Appeal

Chapter 8 General Rules For The Review Of Cases In The. Constitutional Court

Chapter 9 The Characteristics Of A Case Under Review At The Constitutional Court

Chapter 10 The Acts Of The Constitutional Court, Requirements For An Act, And The Order Of Adoption Of An Act

Chapter 11 Concluding Tenets