A New Constitution

Not all the opposition parties lined up against the constitutional reforms. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)-a strong proponent of a parliamentary system of government in Armenia since independence-even conducted a "yes" campaign ahead of the referendum. Its representatives described the shift envisaged by the constitutional amendments as a "new beginning" for Armenia. "A quarter century after independence was achieved, Armenia still lacks real democracy, power is hyper-centralized, the principle of the rule of law does not properly function, the courts are not free and impartial, and an effective governing system has not yet been established," read the promotional pamphlet released by the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia. The party also stressed that the constitutional reform was necessary to create a "just, democratic, and social country."