Article 62.
The National Assembly exercises
the legislative authority in the Republic of Armenia. In cases provided
for in Articles 59, 66, 73, 74, 78, 81, 83, 84, 111, and 112 of the Constitution,
as well as with respect to questions of the organization of its activity,
the National Assembly adopts resolutions which are signed and published
by the president of the National Assembly. The powers of the National Assembly
are fixed by the Constitution. The National Assembly operates in accordance
with its Rules of Procedure.
Article 63.
The National Assembly is comprised
of one hundred and thirty-one delegates. The powers of the National Assembly
terminate in June of the fourth year following its election on the opening
day of the first session of the newly-elected National Assembly, when the
powers of the newly-elected National Assembly commence. The National Assembly
can be dispersed as provided in the Constitution. A newly-elected National
Assembly cannot be dispersed for one year following elections. The National
Assembly cannot be dispersed during a military situation or in cases provided
for in point 14 of Article 55, as well as when the issue of the removal
of the President of the Republic from office has been raised.
Article 64.
Every person who has reached twenty-five
years of age, has been a citizen of the Republic of Armenia for the preceding
five years, has permanently resided in the Republic for the previous five
years and has the right to vote can be elected a delegate.
Article 65.
A delegate cannot occupy any paid
state post or perform any other paid employment, other than scientific,
educational and artistic work. The compensation and guarantees for the
activity of delegates is provided for by law.
Article 66.
A delegate is not bound by any imperative
mandate and is guided by his conscience and convictions. A delegate cannot
be prosecuted and subject to liability for activities flowing from his
status, including for an opinion expressed in the National Assembly, if
it does not contain slander or insult.
A delegate cannot be arrested and
be subject to administrative or criminal liability through judicial procedure
without the agreement of the National Assembly.
Article 67.
The powers of a delegate terminate
on termination of the term of the powers of the National Assembly, the
dispersal of the National Assembly, a violation of the conditions of the
first part of Article 65 of the Constitution, loss of Republic of Armenia
citizenship, the invalid absence from more than half of the votes during
one session, a conviction for a crime resulting in imprisonment, a finding
of incompetence, or resignation. The procedure for terminating the powers
of a delegate are provided for in the Rules of Procedure of the National
Assembly.
Article 68.
The regular elections of the National
Assembly take place during the sixty days preceding the termination of
its powers. The procedure for elections to the National Assembly is provided
for by law. The elections are designated by decree of the President of
the Republic. The first session of the newly-elected National Assembly
gathers on the second Thursday following the election of at least two-thirds
of the overall number of delegates. Prior to the election of the president
of the National Assembly, its meetings are run by the delegate most senior
in age.
Article 69.
The regular sessions of the National
Assembly are held twice a year: from the second Monday in September to
the second Wednesday in December and from the first Monday in February
to the second Wednesday in June. Meetings of the National Assembly are
open. A closed meeting can be held by decision of the National Assembly.
Article 70.
A special session of the National
Assembly is called by the President of the Republic at the initiative of
at least one third of the overall number of delegates or of the Government.
At the request of the majority of the overall number of delegates of the
National Assembly a special session is held with the agenda and within
the time period stipulated by the initiators. A special session may not
last more than six days. A special meeting of the National Assembly is
called by the president of the National Assembly at the initiative of the
Government or at least one third of the overall number of delegates. A
special meeting is held with the agenda and within the time period stipulated
by the initiators.
Article 71.
With the exception of the cases
provided for in Articles 57, 58, 59, 72, 74, 75.4, 78.1, 83.3, 84 and 111
and the first part of Article 79 of the Constitution, laws and National
Assembly resolutions are adopted by majority votes of delegates present
at the meeting if more than half of the overall number of delegates participated
in the voting.
Article 72.
The National Assembly discusses
on a priority basis a law returned by the President of the Republic. In
the event the National Assembly should not accept the objections and suggestions
of the President of the Republic, it once again adopts the returned law
by a majority of the votes of the overall number of delegates.
Article 73.
Six permanent commissions, and when
necessary, temporary commissions, are created in the National Assembly.
Permanent commissions are created for preliminary discussion of draft laws
and other proposals and for the presentation of findings about them to
the National Assembly.
Temporary commissions are created
for the preliminary discussion of separate draft laws or to present findings
and reports to the National Assembly about certain events and facts.
Article 74.
The Government within a twenty-day
period following its formation or that of a newly-elected National Assembly
presents its work-plan for approval by the National Assembly and places
before the meeting of the National Assembly the issue of [the National
Assembly's] confidence [in the Government]. A draft resolution on expressing
no confidence in the Government can be presented by at least one third
of the overall number of delegates within twenty-four hours of the placing
of the confidence issue. The draft resolution on expressing no confidence
in the Government is put to a vote no sooner than forty-eight hours and
no later than seventy-two hours after it has been presented. The resolution
is accepted by a majority of the votes of the overall number of delegates.
In the event a draft resolution on expressing no confidence in the Government
is not presented or such a resolution is not adopted, the work-plan is
considered to have won approval. In the event a resolution on expressing
no confidence is accepted, the Prime Minister offers the resignation of
the Government to the President.
Article 75.
The right to legislative initiative
in the National Assembly belongs to the delegates and to the Government.
The Government stipulates the sequence for discussion of the draft laws
it presents and it can demand that they be put to a vote only with changes
acceptable to it. The National Assembly discusses and votes on within a
one-month period a draft law considered urgent by Government decision.
The National Assembly discusses only with the conclusion of the Government
draft laws which reduce state income or increase expenses and are passed
with a simple majority of all Members of Parliament. In connection with
the adoption of a draft law presented by it, the Government may present
the issue [of the National Assembly's] confidence in it. If the National
Assembly does not adopt by the procedure provided in Article 74 of the
Constitution a resolution expressing no confidence in the Government, the
draft law presented by the latter is deemed adopted. The Government can
propose a confidence issue on its presented law drafts no more than two
times in the same session.
Article 76.
The National Assembly on the presentation
of the Government certifies the state budget. If the state budget is not
certified by the beginning of the fiscal year, expenditures are made in
the proportions of the previous year's budget. The procedure for the discussion
and certification of the state budget is provided for by law.
Article 77.
The National Assembly oversees the
implementation of the state budget as well as the utilization of loans
and credits received from foreign states and international organizations.
The National Assembly discusses and certifies the annual report on the
implementation of the state budget in the presence of the conclusion of
the Oversight Chamber (Verahskich palat) of the National Assembly.
Article 78.
To legislatively secure the Government's
work-plan, the National Assembly may empower the Government to adopt resolutions
that have the force of law and that operate during the period stipulated
by the National Assembly and that cannot contradict laws. The President
of the Republic signs those resolutions.
Article 79.
The National Assembly by the majority
of votes of the overall number of delegates elects for the full term of
its powers the president of the National Assembly. The president of the
National Assembly conducts the meetings, administers the material and financial
resources of the National Assembly and provides for its normal activity.
The National Assembly elects two deputy presidents of the National Assembly.
Article 80.
The deputies have the right to pose
inquiries to the Government. During one meeting each week of the regular
session, the Prime Minister and members of the Government respond to the
inquiries of the deputies. The National Assembly does not adopt resolutions
in connection with the inquiries of deputies.
Article 81.
The National Assembly at the proposal
of the President of the Republic:
1) Declares an amnesty.
2) Ratifies or annuls international
agreements of the Republic of Armenia. The realm of international agreements
subject to ratification of the National Assembly are fixed by law.
3) Declares war. The National Assembly
based on the finding of the Constitutional Court can terminate the exercise
of measures provided for in points 13 and 14 of Article 55 of the Constitution.
Article 82.
The National Assembly at the proposal
of the Government certifies the administrative territorial division of
the Republic.
Article 83.
The National Assembly:
1) Appoints, at the proposal of
the President of the Republic, the president of the Central Bank and his
deputy.
2) Appoints, at the proposal of
the president of the National Assembly, the president of the National Assembly's
Oversight Chamber (Verahskich palat) and members of the Constitutional
Court, and from it the Chairman of the Court. If a Chairman is not appointed
from the members of the Constitutional Court by the National Assembly within
30 days, the President of the Republic appoints the Chairman of the Constitutional
Court.
3) Can terminate, based upon the
finding of the Constitutional Court, the powers of a member of the Constitutional
Court appointed by [the National Assembly] and agree to his arrest and
being subject to administrative or criminal liability by judicial procedure.
Article 84.
The National Assembly by a majority
of the votes of the overall number of deputies expresses its no confidence
in the Government. It cannot enjoy this right during a military situation
or in cases provided for in point 14 of Article 55 of the Constitution.
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