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On October 30, 2015, Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center held a discussion on  constitutional amendments in Sevan town, Gegharkunik Marz (Region). The discussion was facilitated by Gayane Abrahamyan and attended by speakers, Heriknaz Tigranyan, Lawyer at Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center; writer and publicist Vahram Martirosyan and Artur Sakunts, Chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor. In her opening remarks, Gayane Abrahamyan presented the aim of the discussion and then gave the floor to Vahram Martirosyan to express his view on the purpose and necessity of the Constitutional amendments. V. Martirosyan first spoke about the shift to parliamentary system of government and expressed his concerns to the effect that no positive result might be expected in such system given the divided opposition. He also added that ”the society is ready to elect a person, rather than a party.” As for foreign policy and challenges, the speaker noted that today, Russian Federation set a task to incorporate Azerbaijan into the Eurasian Economic Union, which will be done most probably to the detriment of the interests of the Republic of Armenia and particularly at the expense of the territorial integrity of Nagorno-Karabakh. He also added that “the president, who will cede Artsakh will lose his power.” Then he summed up as follows: “Shifting to a parliamentary system will turn our country into a system of collective irresponsibility.” Lawyer Heriknaz Tigranyan first spoke about the absence of any public requirement of the constitutional amendments, touched upon the terms and formulations in the draft Constitution and discussed certain articles. In particular, she noted that unlike the regulations in the existing Constitution applying directly, those in the proposed draft, would not apply this way but would rather be regulated by laws. As for the State’s obligations, the lawyer emphasized that under the Draft, the State is not obliged to resolve any social issue, but rather “promotes, supports and assists”. She also added that  “in draft Constitution, tasks turned into goals”. H. Tigranyan also highlighted the difference between electing a president and a party and touched upon the terms and ways of local government elections. Summing up her speech, the speaker said that the draft Constitution did not envisage constitutional amendments but rather a “new Constitution”. And Artur Sakunts, Chairman of HCA Vanadzor, mostly spoke about the formation of a stable majority, noting that the authorities would be elected by the Parliament by 3/5, i.e. 60% of the votes, and today, only the Republican party can ensure so many votes in the National Assembly; therefore, the idea of stable majority will only serve the interests of the ruling party, “Can there be democracy in case of monopoly of a political party?” A. Sakunts also said that we are deprived of every tool to protect our rights: ‘Today we have no chance to defend our Constitution”. The meeting participants asked questions to the speakers, discussed their concerns and highlighted the necessity of such meetings and awareness campaigns.