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Parliament name (generic / translated) Azgayin Zhoghov / National Assembly More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1995 - LEADERSHIP President Ara Babloyan (M)  Notes Elected on 18 May 2017. Secretary General Ara Saghatelyan (M)  Notes Appointed on 19 May 2017. COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 105 / 105 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 19 (18.10%) Mode of designation directly elected 101 other 4 Notes Others: four minority representatives Up to four minority representatives may be elected. Term 5 years Last renewal dates 2 April 2017 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address National Assembly 19, Marshal Bagramyan Ave. 0095 Yerevan, Armenia (Export mailing lists) Phone (374 11) 51 32 25 51 34 75 Fax (374 10) 52 98 26 52 74 50 E-mail zabela.ghazaryan@parliament.am Website http://www.parliament.am

Parliament name (generic / translated) Azgayin Zhoghov / National Assembly Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 5 February 1999 Last updated: 01.07.2016 Mode of designation directly elected 101 other 4 Constituencies - One national constituency (national list) - 13 multi-member constituencies (district seats) Voting system Proportional: Proportional representation system using national and district lists with a possible second round of voting so as to achieve a 'stable parliamentary majority' (54 per cent of the total seats). National list and district lists: Each political party or alliance of political parties running in elections will submit one national list of candidates and one district list for each constituency. Ballot paper and voting: - One page of the ballot paper displays the national list, specifying the order in which the candidates will be elected (closed list). Another page displays the district candidates without specifying the order in which they will be elected (open list). The district candidates also appear on the national list. - Each elector votes for a party that appears in the national list and may also give a preference vote to a district candidate. Four seats reserved for national minorities: The national lists of each party or alliance may include a second part which comprises candidates representing the four largest national minorities (Yezidis, Russians, Assyrians and Kurds). That part may include four sections (one for each national minority), each of which may include up to four candidates. The D'Hondt method is used for the distribution of these four seats. If a party does not have a minority candidate, the seat passes to the party with the next largest number of votes that does have a minority candidate. Distribution of seats: - Political parties contesting the election on their own must surpass a five per cent threshold. Alliances must achieve a minimum of seven per cent. - Seats are firstly distributed to parties at the national level according to the number of votes received for the national list. Then, half of the seats won by each party are distributed according to the national list and half according to district lists. Numbers of seats are rounded down for national lists and up for district lists. - The seats for the national list are allocated to candidates in the order in which the candidates appear on that list. The seats for the district lists are allocated to candidates according to the number of preference votes they receive. Candidates who win a district seat will be struck off the national list. Possible second round of voting: - If a party or alliance wins a 'stable parliamentary majority' (54 per cent of the total seats), a second round will not be held. - If no party or alliance obtains a stable majority, coalition talks are held after the preliminary results have been announced. To form a coalition government, a stable parliamentary majority must be achieved. However, a coalition may only comprise a maximum of two parties or two alliances. - If a stable parliamentary majority is not formed within 28 days of polling day, a second round of elections will be held between the two parties or alliances that won the highest number of votes in the first round. The two contenders may form new alliances with other parties that ran in the first round. Method to fill vacancies between general elections: Vacancies are firstly filled by the unsuccessful candidates from the district elections who won the next highest number of preference votes after the original winner. If there are no more candidates who fit that criterion, vacancies are then filled by the candidate who is next in line on the national lists and from the same party. Candidates from the national minorities are elected first, followed by other candidates. Vacancies are filled in such a way that the number of men or women never falls below 25 per cent. If necessary, vacancies are given to the next most popular candidate of the less represented gender in the first part of the national list. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - Age: 18 years - Armenian citizenship - Disqualifications: mental illness, criminal conviction, allegiance to a foreign State CANDIDATES Eligibility - Qualified electors - Age: 25 years - Armenian citizenship - Permanent residence in the country for at least four years immediately preceding the elections - Persons with a good command of the Armenian language Incompatibilities - Membership of the government and judicial bodies - Membership of the armed forces - Employment in the Public Prosecutor's Office or in national security, internal affairs, tax or customs bodies Candidacy requirements - Candidacy by party or alliance. The electoral list of a political party or alliance of political parties may include persons who are not members of that political party or alliance. - The first part of each list (excluding the section reserved for minorities) must comprise between 80 and 300 candidates. - At least 30 per cent of the candidates in the first part of the national list must be women. - Not more than 70 per cent of all candidates in the district lists can be of the same gender. - Candidates must submit a deposit equivalent to 10,000 times the minimum salary (AMD 10 million, about USD 21,000). It is reimbursable if the candidate is elected or obtains at least four per cent of the vote.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Azgayin Zhoghov / National Assembly Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 2 April 2017 Timing and scope of renewal President Serzh Sargsyan's Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) retained an absolute majority in the 105-member National Assembly. The HHK won nearly twice more seats than its main rival, the Tsarukyan bloc, led by a wealthy businessman Gagik Tsarukyan. Both parties support close ties with Russia. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, who succeeded Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan in September 2016, led the HHK campaign, promising to continue the Government’s ongoing reforms. The Tsarukyan bloc promised to boost public-sector salaries and pensions. The 2017 elections were the first to be held after the constitutional amendments, adopted in a referendum in December 2015. The parliamentary system (with a ceremonial President to be elected by parliament), instead of the current semi-presidential system, will become operational after the incumbent President’s term expires in 2018. The statutory number of members in the National Assembly has decreased from 131 to 101. The new electoral law foresees up to four seats for minority representatives (Yezidis, Russians, Assyrians and Kurds). The new electoral law foresees an additional four seats for minority representatives (Yezidis, Russians, Assyrians and Kurds). In accordance with the new electoral code, which came into force in July 2016, the 2017 elections were held under the proportional representation system (instead of the mixed system). The new electoral system provides for a possible second round of voting so as to achieve a “stable parliamentary majority” (54 per cent of the total seats). At least 30 per cent of the candidates in the first part of the national list (excluding the section reserved for minorities) must be women. Date of previous elections: 6 May 2012 Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 18 May 2017* *The outgoing legislature is dissolved upon convening of the newly elected legislature. Timing of election: Upon normal expiry Expected date of next elections: April 2022 Number of seats at stake: 101 (full renewal)* * Up to four minority representatives may be elected in addition. Number of candidates: 1,558 Percentage of women candidates: About 30% Number of parties contesting the election: 9* *5 parties and 4 coalitions Number of parties winning seats: 4* *Including 2 coalitions. Alternation of power: No Number of parties in government: 1 Names of parties in government: Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Date of the first session of the new parliament: 18 May 2017 Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Ara Babloyan (Republican Party of Armenia, HHK) STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 2 April 2017 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 2'585'468 1'575'786 (60.95%) Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Tsarukyan bloc "Way Out" alliance (Yelq) Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutiun) Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Minority rep. Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) 58 3 Tsarukyan bloc 31 1 "Way Out" alliance (Yelq) 9 0 Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutiun) 7 0 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 87 18 17.14% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Note on the distribution of seats according to sex: The National Assembly - elected in April 2017 -, comprised 101 directly elected members who included 17 women, and four minority representatives, who included one woman, or a total of 18 women out of 105 members. In May, one male member, who was not a minority representative, resigned and was replaced by a woman, bringing the total number of women to 19. Note: Following the elections, the Tsarukyan bloc formed the Tsarukyan faction, and the "Way Out" alliance (Yelq) formed the "Way Out" faction within the National Assembly. Sources: National Assembly (03.05.2017, 31.05.2017, 27.06.2017) http://www.elections.am/parliamentary/ http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/armenia/293071 http://www.osce.org/office-for-democratic-institutions-and-human-rights/elections/armenia/309156?download=true https://www.rt.com/ http://www.dw.com http://www.tert.am https://anca.org/ http://en.aravot.am

Parliament name (generic / translated) Azgayin Zhoghov / National Assembly Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title Chairman of the National Assembly Term - duration: 5 years (term of legislature) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly Appointment - elected by all Members of the Assembly - the election is at the beginning of the first session of the new legislature - after two-thirds of the mandates have been validated Eligibility - any Member of the Assembly may be a candidate Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot - an absolute majority is required for the first round, a simple majority for the second Procedures / results - the most senior Member presides over the Assembly during the voting - an ad hoc vote-counting committee supervises the voting - the ad hoc voting committee announces the results without delay - the results may be challenged STATUS Status - may act as interim Head of State in case of absence - represents the Assembly with the authorities - represents the Assembly in international bodies - in the absence of the Speaker, the Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions Board NA (no information received) Material facilities - allowance + expense allowance - official residence - official car - secretariat - additional staff - domestic personnel - body guards FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - establishes the agenda which must be adopted by the Assembly - organizes the debates and sets speaking time, in agreement with the Assembly - refers texts to a committee for study - examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting-up of such committees Chairing of public sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning the Assembly - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - checks the quorum - authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates Special powers - is responsible for establishing the budget - approves the composition of the staff - appoints the Clerk - organizes the services of Parliament - is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes the floor in legislative debates - takes part in voting - proposes bills or amendments - transmits laws to the Head of State for promulgation - proposes the names of 5 members out of 9 for the Constitutional Court - is consulted in certain circumstances (dissolution, appointment of the Prime Minister, etc.)

Parliament name (generic / translated) Azgayin Zhoghov / National Assembly Structure of parliament Unicameral NATURE Nature of the mandate · Free representation (Art. 66 (1) of the Constitution of 05.07.1995) Start of the mandate · On the opening day of the first session of the newly elected Parliament (Art. 63 (2) of the Constitution) Validation of mandates · Validation by the Constitutional Court only in case of challenge (Art. 100, No. 3 of the Constitution) · Procedure (Art. 101 (1) No. 3, (2), and 102 of the Constitution) End of the mandate · On the opening day of the first session of the newly elected Parliament (Art. 67 (1) in connection with Art. 63 (2) of the Constitution) (for early dissolution, see Art. 67 (1) in connection with Art. 55, No. 3, and 63 (3) to (5) of the Constitution) Can MPs resign? Yes · Of their own free will (see also Art. 67 (1) of the Constitution) · Procedure: submission of an application of resignation · Authority competent to accept the resignation: the National Assembly Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Loss of mandate for incompatibilities (Art. 67 (1) in connection with Art. 65 (1) of the Constitution) (b) Loss of mandate for ineligibility (Art. 67 (1) in connection with Art. 64 and 27 (2) of the Constitution) (c) Loss of mandate for unexcused absences from half of the floor votes during a single session (Art. 67 (1) of the Constitution) STATUS OF MEMBERS Rank in hierarchy · Within Parliament: · Outside Parliament: Indemnities, facilities and services · Diplomatic passport · Basic salary (see Art. 65 (2) of the Constitution): US$ 80 · No exemption from tax · No pension scheme · Other facilities: (a) Postal and telephone services (b) Travel and transport Obligation to declare personal assets No Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Art. 66 (1) of the Constitution). · Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament. (Parliamentary non-accountability applies to words spoken and written by MPs both within and outside Parliament.) · Derogations: slanderous or defamatory expressions Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Art. 66 (2) of the Constitution). · It applies to criminal and administrative proceedings, covers all offences and protects MPs from arrest and from being held in preventive custody, from the opening of judicial proceedings against them and from their homes being searched. · No derogations are foreseen. · Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal. · Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (Art. 66 (2) of the Constitution: - Competent authority: the National Assembly EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE Training · There is no training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs. · Handbooks of parliamentary procedure: Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is not compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings and committee meetings · Penalties foreseen in case of failure to attend (Art. 67 (1) of the Constitution): loss of mandate · Body competent to judge such cases/to impose penalties: Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in the Rules of Procedure. Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system but there are some relevant provisions (Art. 67 (1) in connection with Art. 65 (1) of the Constitution). · Penalties foreseen for violation of the rules of conduct (Art. 67 (1) in connection with Art. 65 (1) of the Constitution): loss of mandate Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

This page was last updated on 26 July 2017
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