What Type Of Government Does Armenia Have?

The government of Armenia was previously carried out under the system of a semi-presidential representative democracy. In 2015, however, the citizens of the country voted to approve a referendum that made the country a parliamentary republic. This action took veto power from the President and made the position ineligible for reelection. Additionally, candidates for presidency may not be affiliated with any political party. Armenia is still headed by both a President and a Prime Minister, only the President now acts as more of a figurehead for the country. Government officials belong to a multitude of political parties, with the Republican Party currently holding a majority in the legislative branch. Administration of the government of Armenia is divided between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This article takes a closer look at each one.

Executive Branch Of The Government Of Armenia

The executive branch in Armenia is generally referred to simply as "the government" and is considered to be an executive council of ministers. It is formally led by the President and the Prime Minister - however, the Prime Minister holds more power and is considered as the Head of Government.

The President acts as the Head of State and is Commander-in-Chief of the military. The person in this position represents the country in international relations, including negotiating agreements and carrying out foreign policy. In addition, the President signs bills passed by the National Assembly into law and appoints the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister is responsible for managing the work and activities of the 18 ministries and 7 adjunct bodies within the country. To accomplish this, the Prime Minister must organize the work of the Ministers and ensure that legislative decisions are implemented.

Legislative Branch Of The Government Of Armenia

The legislative branch of Armenia is made up of the National Assembly, a unicameral parliamentary body. This government body previously consisted of 131 members, but with the previously mentioned referendum of 2015, that number is now 101. According to the new system, the National Assembly may reach up to 200 seats in an extraordinary circumstance. Currently, 105 members sit on the National Assembly, representing the following political parties: Republican party (58 seats), Tsarukyan Alliance (31 seats), Way Out Alliance (9 seats), and ARF (7 seats).

Each member serves for a 5-year term and is part of an ad-hoc committee within the National Assembly. The committees work to investigate specific issues and submit expert opinions and guidance to the legislative body in order to ensure appropriate resolutions and regulations are passed. Currently, two special committees have been formed: the Committee on Ethics and the Committee on Studying the Gas Supply System in the Republic of Armenia.

Judicial Branch Of The Government Of Armenia

The judicial branch is responsible for administering justice in this country. This is accomplished through a hierarchical system of courts, including the court of the first instance of general jurisdiction, the court of appeals, Court of Cassation, Constitutional Court, and specialized courts. The Court of Cassation serves as the highest court of appeals and ensures that the law is carried out justly across the country. For matters concerning the constitutional validity, the Constitutional Court has jurisdiction. The judicial branch operates independently of the executive and legislative branches.