The Civil Contract Party Decides the Date for the Presidential Election

The newspaper "Zhoghovurd" reports that the National Assembly will elect the President of Armenia during the regular session convening on March 1. According to sources close to the "Civil Contract" faction, the government aims to hold the election between March 3 and 5, with the possibility of it occurring on March 3 itself.

Earlier, on February 9, "Zhoghovurd" reported that the government lacks enough votes to secure the presidential candidacy of Vahagn Khachaturyan in the first round and has sought the opposition's help. However, their intentions have not been successful, and it has become clear that the president will not be elected in the first round.

According to the Constitution of Armenia, at least three-fourths of the total number of deputies' votes or 81 affirmative votes are required, while the majority has only 71 mandates. Without the opposition's 10 votes, the presidential candidate cannot be elected.

The legislation stipulates that in the second round, a president is elected with a three-fifths majority, which in this case means 64 votes, and the votes of the ruling party's deputies suffice.

Moreover, according to the information from "Zhoghovurd," it is planned to hold the presidential oath-taking ceremony on March 14-15. This implies that the second attempt for the election must be organized swiftly. Thus, immediately after the failed presidential election attempt, there will be a second round, and it is intended to complete the presidential election between March 3 and 5.