YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–A news conference on priority measures aimed at leading the country out of the current domestic political crisis held at the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Armenia on February 1 was attended by representatives of the Hnchak-Social Democratic Party of Armenia and United Progressive Communist Party.
DPA Chairman Aram Sargssian stated that his party will present a package of proposals based on the idea of establishing a presidential council headed by the President that can "ensure the centralization of power in the country–restore mutual confidence between the branches of power and ensure the country’s governability." The Presidential Council would include leaders of influential Parliamentary and political forces and well-known political and public figures. The decisions made by the Council would be formulated in the form of presidential decrees. As the first step–the Council should address and appeal to the people–confirming its commitment to Constitutional order in the country–its willingness to settle political problems by mutual consent with the possibility of any dictates ruled out.
The Presidential Council would also discuss the domestic political situation in the country and urgent political–social and economic problems–and enforce decisions from the moment of conception. Sargssian also stated that the DPA is ready to submit an additional list of problems to be discussed by the Council.
The DPA leader stressed that the Council will not claim to have the status of an additional governmental institution nor will it broaden its powers at the expense of any other branch of power. According to Sargssian–the current situation necessitates the establishment of the Council. "The domestic political situation in the country is not improving and emigration is growing threateningly," he said.
The DPA leader also intends to make a suggestion about the opening of an All-Armenian bank account to which Armenia’s from all over the world could trust their savings and which would fund only profitable development programs of the Armenian government.
As to the idea of an early presidential election–Sargssian said such an election will bring no results–and it will not be a fair election campaign.