By Elen Muradyan
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called for the adoption of a new constitution, framing it as a strategic shift towards strengthening statehood and redefining national identity. In a televised address on Wednesday evening, the prime minister presented what he calls “The Ideology of the Real Armenia,” which he believes is essential for Armenia’s democratic evolution and state consolidation.
“The homeland is the state. If you love your homeland, strengthen your state,” Pashinyan declared, emphasizing that the concept of the homeland in Armenian consciousness often lacks direct association with a system of rights and duties. “This ideology equates the homeland with the internationally recognized state—the Republic of Armenia—and patriotism with serving the interests of this state within the framework of its laws and obligations.”
Pashinyan argued that a new constitution, adopted through a nationwide referendum, would solidify the social contract between the state and its citizens. He criticized previous constitutional referendums for lacking public legitimacy and highlighted the need to move from a “stateless nation’s relic operational mode” to that of a “state-building people.”
Pashinyan did not specify when the constitutional referendum would take place—whether it would be held with the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2026 or before or after them. He also did not elaborate on the specific changes to be made in the Constitution, but his previous statements indicate the focus would be on the preamble.
The prime minister’s call for constitutional change comes against renewed pressure from Azerbaijan. In an interview with Azerbaijani media earlier this year, President Ilham Aliyev reiterated his country’s long-standing demand that Armenia amend its constitution. Baku argues that the preamble, which references Armenia’s 1990 Declaration of Independence, indirectly supports Armenian claims over Nagorno-Karabakh by invoking the Soviet-era law on the reunification of the Armenian SSR and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region.
Aliyev has consistently framed the removal of such references as a prerequisite for full normalization of relations between the two countries, accusing Armenia of maintaining “territorial claims” despite recent peace talks.
Since gaining independence in 1991, Armenia has held three constitutional referendums: in 1995, when the first constitution was adopted, establishing a presidential republic; in 2005, which introduced a semi-presidential system; and in 2015, when the country transitioned to a parliamentary system.
Critics have labeled the current constitution “super-prime-ministerial” due to the extensive powers granted to the prime minister, surpassing those held by presidents under previous systems. Following the 2018 revolution, Pashinyan declared the need for constitutional reform. In June 2019, a special commission was established to propose changes, particularly focusing on judicial reforms and the governance model.
However, for several years now, the Constitutional Reform Commission has been practically inactive.
The post Pashinyan calls for new constitution amid pressure from Azerbaijan appeared first on CIVILNET.
