ARMENIA'S CONSTITUTION AND THE SEPARATION OF POWERS AMONG THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT The New System of Separation of Powers

The new Constitution of the Republic of Armenia was adopted by referendum held on July 5, 1995. This represented a historic event for both the people and the state of Armenia. Whereas the adoption of the Constitution and the parliamentary elections were indicative of the thrust to adopt democratic processes, they also laid the foundation of the state system in Armenia by establishing the constitutional framework for citizens' participation and the rule of law in the decision-making process. At the same time, however, the Constitution accorded the ruling governmen authority to influence the exercise of these rights. While the Constitution embraced the principles of separation of powers, democratic freedoms, and citizens' participation in government , in fact it established a centralized presidential system of government with immense influence on the actions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.