The Armenian National Congress (ANC) party, led by former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, issued a joint call to all opposition forces, proposing coordinated action to annul the results of the parliamentary elections held on June 7 and to hold new elections.
In its statement, the party invited all opposition forces concerned about the future of democracy and sovereignty to form a nationwide united front of a 'No' movement. The ANC proposed establishing a single governing body for the movement based on joint consultations and organizing common activities.
Allegations of electoral irregularities
The ANC statement cited alleged irregularities in the elections as grounds, calling for organizing public protest actions and fighting for snap elections to be held as soon as possible. The party argued that this is the only way to overcome the legitimacy crisis of state power.
Furthermore, it called for joint resistance against the government's attempts to secure a constitutional majority in parliament through fraud and pressure, and against planned amendments to the article regulating constitutional change procedures, which could lower the two-thirds majority threshold required for a referendum.
New constitution proposal
The ANC proposed drafting a new constitution based on the semi-presidential model adopted in 1990 and on a basis of national consensus. It stated that the proposed draft would refer to the declaration of independence and would create balance and oversight mechanisms to ensure the real independence of institutions such as the judiciary, investigative bodies, and the Central Election Commission from the executive branch.
Election results and appeals
According to the final election results announced on June 14, three political forces entered the Armenian parliament. The ruling 'Civil Contract' party won 64 seats, while the 'Armenia' and 'I Have Honor' blocs received 29 and 12 seats respectively. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's party secured a majority sufficient to form a government alone.
Prior to the elections, the 'Armenia' and 'I Have Honor' blocs, the 'Prosperous Armenia' party led by Gagik Tsarukyan, former ombudsman Arman Tatoyan's 'United Wings', blogger Vardan Gukasyan's 'Democracy, Law, Discipline' party, the pro-Western 'Union of Defenders of the Republic', and former Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan's 'New Power' party had appealed the election results to the Constitutional Court.
