Armenian constitutional referendum, 2015

A constitutional referendum was held in Armenia on 6 December 2015. The proposed amendments to the constitution would change the country from having a semi-presidential system to being a parliamentary republic, with the changes planned to take place during the 2017–18 electoral cycle. The referendum passed with 66.2% of voters supporting it. Voter turnout was 50.8%, passing the 33% threshold to validate the results.

Opponents of the new constitution, who argued that the amendment was President Serzh Sargsyan's way to stay in power after the end of his second and last term in office, alleged that violence, coercion and electoral fraud were used to secure the vote.

After being drafted by the Specialised Commission on Constitutional Reforms, the proposed amendments were sent to the National Assembly on 21 August. On 5 October, the National Assembly voted 104–10, with three abstentions to put the proposals to a vote. The Republican Party of Armenia, Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Prosperous Armenia voted in favour, whilst the Armenian National Congress and Heritage voted against. The three abstainers were members of the Rule of Law, with two of the party's MPs voting against the proposals.

Changes in National Assembly

In the current constitution National Assembly controls the executive branch and is responsible for supervising the budget.

Under the amendments, Armenian National Assembly is going to consist of at least 101 deputies, instead of 131.

Moreover, according to electoral law, seats for ethnic minorities will be allocated.

Additionally proportional electoral system is going to be used in the election of National Assembly. The amendments provide a chance to hold the second round of the elections if during the first round a clear majority for a political party is not formed. Only two parties, which would receive the most votes in the first round, would then take part in the runoff. The parties which participate in the second round of the voting are obliged to propose a candidate for Prime Minister and fundamentals for government’s program.

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