I Call on All Parties to Exhibit Restraint: The Venice Commission Expresses Concern Over Processes in the Constitutional Court

The President of the Venice Commission, Gianni Buquicchio, has issued a statement regarding the situation surrounding the Constitutional Court in Armenia. According to Armenpress, the statement reads:

“I have been closely following the situation in Armenia for several months now. I am very concerned about the open conflict between the Government and the Parliament on one side and the Constitutional Court on the other. The rapid succession of recent events and their public nature do not contribute to a smooth resolution of the issues at hand. In a democratic context, Parliament is the guardian of popular sovereignty and, as such, enjoys the highest democratic legitimacy. The Constitutional Court is an institution entrusted with the defense of constitutional values. In a democratic country, all state institutions and the heads of offices must respect their authorities, obligations, and powers, while also recognizing and respecting those of other institutions. They should exercise appropriate institutional restraint, faithfully adhere to the relevant procedures, and show respect towards one another. If this does not happen, if there is no democratic culture and maturity, the functions of state institutions become disrupted, threatening the democratic, civil, and economic progress of society.

I call on all parties to exhibit restraint, mutual respect, and constructive institutional cooperation to ease this alarming situation and to reaffirm the normal functioning of Armenia’s Constitution.”