Armenia is a republic with a presidential governing system. The president is the head of state. According to Chapter 3, Article 49 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia,

"The President of the Republic of Armenia shall uphold the Constitution, and ensure the normal functioning of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities.

The President of the Republic shall be the guarantor of the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic."

The same person cannot hold the office of president for more than two consecutive terms. The people directly elect the President for a five-year term. The President's primary responsibility is the formulation of policy, the conduct of foreign and defense policies, and ensuring the normal functioning of state institutions.

The first president of the Republic of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrossian, was elected on October 16, 1991. In 1998, he resigned. Then-Prime Minister Robert Kocharian became Acting President. Extraordinary elections were set for March 16, 1998. Because no candidate garnered 50% + 1 of the votes, the first round of elections required a run-off between the top two candidates from the 12 original candidates. Acting President Robert Kocharian was elected President of the Republic of Armenia on March 31, 1998.

For more information, visit www.president.am

With the adoption of the Armenian Constitution, the post of Vice-President of the Republic of Armenia was eliminated. Longtime Vice-President Gagik Harutiunian was appointed President of the newly created Constitutional Court in February 1996.

National Assembly
According to Chapter 4, Article 62 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia,

"Legislative power in the Republic of Armenia shall be vested in the National Assembly.

Under cases provided by Articles 59, 66, 73, 74, 78, 81, 83, 84, 111, 112 of the Constitution, as well as for purposes of organizing its own activities, the National Assembly shall adopt resolutions which shall be signed and published by its President.

The powers of the National Assembly are determined by the Constitution.

The National Assembly shall operate in accordance with its rules of procedure."

The Republic of Armenia's National Assembly (or Parliament) implements its activities through sessions, permanent and temporary committees, as well as through its deputies. The National Assembly is a single-chamber representative body. Its members are elected by a combination of single member district and proportional representation.

Members of Parliament are elected for four-year terms. The first parliamentary elections were held on July 5, 1995. During those elections, the law allowed for 190 deputies. The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, also adopted on July 5, 1995, lowered the number of parliamentary seats from 190 to 131, beginning with the next regularly scheduled parliamentary elections in 1999.

On May 30, 1999, the Republic of Armenia held its second scheduled parliamentary elections since independence. Following the new constitutional requirements, of the 131 deputies (or Members of Parliament--MP) elected, 75 were elected through the majoritarian electoral system and 56 deputies were elected through the proportional representation system. The proportional representation system provides for seats for political parties and political blocs divided according to a proportional system.

The National Assembly is convened twice a year: in spring (from the first Monday of February to the second Wednesday of June) and autumn (from the second Monday of September to the second Wednesday of December). Extraordinary sessions may be convened by the President of the Republic at the initiative of the Government, or at least one third of the total number of deputies; and by the Chairman of the National Assembly at the initiative of the Government or at least one third of the total number of deputies.

The Chairman of the National Assembly is elected by a majority of votes in a secret ballot by the Members of Parliament.

For more information, visit www.parliament.am

Constitutional Court
On February 6, 1996, a Constitutional Court consisting of nine members (five appointed by Parliament and four by the President) was established. The responsibility of this court is to judge the constitutionality of the laws, Presidential decrees, and governmental resolutions. The Court also judges the constitutionality of international agreements and resolves disputes concerning the results of elections and referenda. In February 1996, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia appointed Mr. Gagik Harutiunian the President of the Constitutional Court.

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, Chapter 6, Article 96,

"...A judge may hold office until the age of 65, while a member of the Constitutional Court may hold office until the age of 70. They may be removed from office only in accordance with the Constitution and the laws."

The present Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia operates based on the RoA Law "On Constitutional Court" adopted in 1995 and amended in December 1997.

Armenia is the only former Soviet Republic represented at the Council of the International Association of Constitutional Law (IACL.) The Council, founded in 1983, boasts over 100 member countries.

MEMBERS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT President: Gagik Harutiunian (born in 1948), Lawyer and Economist Vice President: Vladimir Hovhannissian (born in 1948), Lawyer Members: Hrant Nazarian (born in 1959), Lawyer Rafayel Papayan (born in 1942), Philologist Valery Poghossian (born in 1944), Philosopher Vladimir Sahakian (born in 1933), Lawyer Mikayel Sevian (born in 1935), Lawyer Felix Tokhian (born in 1956), Lawyer Kim Balaian (born in 1947), Lawyer (Source--Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, June 1999 and Armenpress News Bulletin, July 22, 1999.)

For more information, visit: www.concourt.am

Government

"Executive power in the Republic of Armenia shall be vested in the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

The Government shall be composed of the Prime Minister and the Ministers. The powers of the Government shall be determined by the Constitution and by laws. The organization and rules of operation of the Government shall be determined by a decree of President of the Republic, upon recommendation of the Prime Minister."

The President appoints the Prime Minister (who is subject to a no-confidence vote by the National Assembly) and appoints the members of the Government (ministers) at the proposal of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is directly responsible to the President. He also reports to the National Assembly. The Prime Minister presides over the Cabinet.

For more information, visit: www.gov.am