Searching for a Replacement for Hrayr Tovmasyan: Who is the Likely Candidate? - ‘Zhoghovurd’

‘Zhoghovurd’ newspaper reports: “The coronavirus saved the President of the Constitutional Court of Armenia, Hrayr Tovmasyan. As has already been made known, the ruling 'My Step' faction of the National Assembly canceled the process of holding a referendum. However, the 'Gordian knot' of the Constitutional Court must be resolved, as the principle is not to leave cases unfinished.

‘Zhoghovurd’ has informed that during the upcoming week, long-time members of the Constitutional Court, Felix Tokhyan and Grant Nazaryan, will resign from their judicial positions, making way for younger candidates. This will thus resolve the issue regarding the composition of the Constitutional Court. However, Hrayr Tovmasyan will continue to remain at least as a judge, if not as the President of the Court.

According to information from ‘Zhoghovurd’, the authorities are also actively discussing who could lead the Constitutional Court. Despite the fact that Judge Vahe Grigoryan has been dispatched by the authorities to the Constitutional Court, he is not being considered for the Presidency of the Court even within ‘My Step’. Reports suggest that Vahe Grigoryan, while not actively working but still receiving a salary from the state budget, has nonetheless not justified himself, which is why the authorities are currently searching for a replacement for Hrayr Tovmasyan.

Let’s recall that on May 13, the Minister of Justice of Armenia, Rustam Badasyan, had addressed the Venice Commission to find a resolution to the issues surrounding the Constitutional Court. The Venice Commission had previously presented its opinion verbally, and a final decision is set to be published today. However, according to our sources, the Venice Commission favors this option.”

For more details, refer to today’s newspaper issue.