During the NA quarter to be launched on October 22 RA President Robert Kocharyan must propose his candidature for the position of the chair of the NA Audit Chamber. In accordance with the amended Constitution, the head of state nominates chair of the Audit Chamber, and the members of parliament affirm or reject the nominee whose term of office is 6 years. This issue is viewed as highly important, considering the amended Constitution which entitled the Audit Chamber to more functions. Consequently, it is becoming more important for the three pro-government forces in parliament who will get this lever. Naira Zohrabyan, Prosperous Armenia Party, denied that the deputy speaker Ishkhan Zakaryan is a likely candidate. “Who said that Ishkhan Zakaryan’s nomination has been considered and we insisted on his nomination? His nomination was not discussed because the president did not offer any nomination to the Republicans or the Bargavach Hayastan Party, when the president nominates, the nomination will be discussed both by the parties and by the coalition,” stated the Zohrabyan. The only party which openly spelled out their aspirations was the ARF Dashnaktsutyun. Hrair Karapetyan, the leader of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s faction, said the amended Constitution has enhanced the role of the Audit Chamber in anti-corruption efforts. “You know the stance of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun on corruption,” Hrair Karapetyan said. If the president chooses Dashnaktsutyun, they are not a force which avoids responsibility, he said. “We are aspiring for the post of president, let alone the Audit Chamber,” stated the leader of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun faction. I think everybody knows how loyal party the ARF knows and how they never avoid responsibility. As a coalition partner it has always threatened its partners to become an opposition party. The last formulation was made by comrade Hrant about becoming a “positive opposition”.
