In an address to the Armenian people on Wednesday, February 19, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the importance of adopting a new Constitution through a national referendum, describing it as crucial for the ideological future of Armenia, reports Zartonk Media.
According to Pashinyan, the current Constitution, which has undergone previous referendums, lacks legitimacy in the eyes of the public, a situation he aims to address by establishing a new constitutional framework that he says will reflect the will of the Armenian people.
Pashinyan’s call for constitutional reform is rooted in his belief that Armenia must align its national identity with its internationally recognized status as a sovereign state. He outlined a vision of a “real Armenia,” where patriotism is closely tied to state’s interests and where citizens view themselves not just as inhabitants, but as active participants in the creation and governance of the nation.
“The ideology of a real Armenia identifies the homeland with the internationally recognized state, the Republic of Armenia, and patriotism with the interests of that state, as well as the system of rights and obligations it defines,” Pashinyan stated. For this vision of patriotism to thrive, the Prime Minister argues, it is essential for the people of Armenia to feel that they are not only the founders of the state but also the legitimate source of the legal and constitutional order within it.
Pashinyan emphasized that in order for Armenians to fully embrace the principles of governance, the Constitution must be seen as a national agreement that reflects their collective will and participation. This would foster a deeper sense of ownership over the legal framework that governs their lives. He explained, “They must perceive the constitutional order as a national agreement for coexistence, established through their participation and decision.”
The strategic goal of adopting a new Constitution, according to the Armenian Prime Minister,, is to shift away from the remnants of a “stateless nation” mentality and move towards a new, more robust legal order that reflects Armenia’s status as a state-forming people. This shift is pivotal for strengthening national identity and reinforcing the state’s sovereignty and legitimacy on the global stage.
In his address, Pashinyan also outlined the strategic objective of the constitutional reform. He stated that the goal is to transition from the “relic behavior of a stateless nation” to the “behavior of a state-building people.”
The proposed new Constitution is expected to embody this shift, and Pashinyan presented the draft ideology of the “real Armenia,” which consists of 14 provisions.
According to the PM, it is essential to adopt the new Constitution through a nationwide referendum, as all previous referendums held for the adoption of the current Constitution have suffered from a significant lack of legitimacy in public perception.
About a month ago, in January, Armenia’s Minister of Justice promised that the text of the new Constitution would be developed before the parliamentary elections.
However, the issue of the new Constitution entered the government’s agenda after a demand from Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev has been calling for changes to Armenia’s fundamental law, particularly due to the reference to the Declaration of Independence in the preamble, which mentions the unification of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) with Armenia.
Last year, Armenia’s Constitutional Court ruled that the contents of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are not identical, but Azerbaijan’s demand persists.
Despite Azerbaijan’s request, Armenian officials insist that the purpose of changing the Constitution is not to respond to external pressure, but to create a better, more legitimate legal framework.
The Minister of Justice clarified that there is no urgent need for constitutional reform and that the government is moving forward with these changes to improve the country’s legal system.
Later on, a decision was made to establish an interdepartmental commission to review and coordinate Armenia’s national security strategy.
Prime Minister Pashinyan announced on January 28 that Armenia’s national security strategy would soon undergo significant changes and transformations to better reflect the country’s evolving needs and challenges.
