The Republic of Armenia is currently dominated by autocracy and party dominance, which hinder the development of the state governance system. This was stated by Armenia’s former Human Rights Defender, Arman Tatoyan. He thoroughly analyzed the flaws of the ruling system, emphasizing that autocracy undermines the independence of state institutions. “Armenia needs a constitutional republic where institutions function in a balanced and independent manner,” he declared.
Manifestations of Autocracy
According to Tatoyan, autocracy in Armenia has significantly intensified in recent years. He cited examples of high-ranking officials being demanded to resign via short SMS messages, even if they are independent or subordinate to the prime minister. This approach, he believes, reflects a mindset where the prime minister views everyone as his subordinates. Unfortunately, some high-ranking officials accept this positioning, acting as the prime minister’s “employees.”
Centralization of Power
Following the 2021 elections, as Tatoyan noted, law enforcement and security structures, such as the State Protection Service, were fully centralized under the direct control of the prime minister. This move, he said, has strengthened the guarantees of autocracy, limiting the independence of state institutions. He argues that such centralization exacerbates Armenia’s problems, as everything depends on one person’s decisions.
Issues with the Constitution and Mindset
Tatoyan acknowledged that the current constitution has flaws that have contributed to the formation of an autocratic system. However, he stressed the importance of addressing the mindset issue, noting that if a leader is inclined toward autocracy, even the most perfect constitution cannot prevent such behavior. He finds claims of democracy in Armenia laughable when actions suggest otherwise. Tatoyan insists that state governance must be based on professionalism, with only specialists managing relevant fields.
Flaws in the State Governance System
The current state governance system, according to Tatoyan, is filled with individuals lacking experience or knowledge in their respective fields. This leads to officials becoming dependent on the prime minister and fearing the loss of their positions. As a result, they make mistakes and attempt to cover them up, leading to an accumulation of lies and falsifications. Tatoyan emphasizes that such a system is far from professional and undermines effective governance.
Lack of Parliamentary Oversight
Tatoyan criticized the parliament’s failure to exercise real oversight over the government. Both ruling and opposition factions fail to fulfill their supervisory roles. He attributes this to the structure of the political system, where everyone is focused on opposing each other, trying to prove their superiority. This confrontation leads to statements that contradict state interests, such as those regarding Armenian soldiers serving abroad, which could jeopardize national security.
Usurpation of the Political System
Armenia’s political system, Tatoyan stated, is heavily usurped. High-ranking officials appointed by the National Assembly understand that their appointment, dismissal, or problems depend solely on the ruling Civil Contract (CC) faction. This forces them to position themselves as “employees” of the ruling power, undermining institutional independence. Tatoyan notes that such a system contradicts democratic principles.
Need for Constitutional Reforms
Tatoyan believes Armenia’s constitution requires reforms to ensure institutional balance. He suggested that the appointment of high-ranking officials, such as the chair of the Central Electoral Commission or judges, should involve opposition support. Additionally, the powers of the President of the Republic should be expanded to counterbalance the ruling faction. He criticized the current president’s role, which, he says, is limited to foreign visits and promoting the ruling party’s agenda.
Arman Tatoyan called for a restructuring of the state governance system to transition to a constitutional republic model where institutions operate independently and in balance. He emphasized the need to acknowledge mistakes, correct them, and move forward to build a professional and democratic governance system. “Autocracy and party dominance must be eliminated to foster Armenia’s statehood and democracy,” he concluded.