A referendum on Armenia’s proposed new constitution, which Azerbaijan has insisted upon, is expected to take place in 2027, according to Justice Minister Grigor Minasian, who spoke on Thursday.
Minasian announced, “The constitutional referendum, as outlined in a recent agreement, is scheduled for 2027. This timeline allows us to thoroughly work on the document, engage in public discussions, and collaborate with experts, without rushing the process.”
Minasian leads the Constitutional Reform Council, established by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in 2022 with the original task of suggesting amendments to Armenia’s existing constitution. The council comprises government officials, pro-government politicians, and leaders from two non-governmental organizations.
In May this year, Pashinyan altered the council’s mission, directing it to draft an entirely “new constitution” to be completed by January 2027. This shift occurred amid Azerbaijan’s insistence that a peace treaty with Armenia is contingent upon changes to the Armenian constitution, which Azerbaijani officials argue includes territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan is particularly focused on removing the preamble in Armenia’s constitution, which refers to the country’s 1990 declaration of independence. This declaration, in turn, references a 1989 unification act by the legislative bodies of Soviet Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. The only way to legally achieve this is by introducing an entirely new constitution through a national referendum.
While Pashinyan and his allies reject accusations from the opposition that they are drafting a new constitution under Azerbaijani influence, the prime minister did admit in February that peace with Azerbaijan might not be attainable as long as the 1990 declaration remains part of Armenia’s constitution.
On August 1, Edmond Marukian, a politician and member of the Constitutional Reform Council, publicly opposed the adoption of a new constitution. He argued that Azerbaijan is using this issue as a pretext to delay signing the peace agreement and warned that Baku “will continue to impose new demands on Armenia” regardless.
Meanwhile, the two civic activists on the council have advocated for the inclusion of the 1990 declaration in the new constitution if it is enacted. However, they, along with Marukian, are in the minority on the government panel, which is expected to support any decision made by Pashinyan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reiterated his demands for constitutional changes in late April, following his success in compelling Pashinyan’s administration to cede four contested border areas to Azerbaijan. Armenian opposition figures have fiercely criticized the land transfer, arguing that it will only embolden Baku to demand further concessions from Armenia.
