Armenia’s new Constitution unlikely to be ready by March as key disputes remain

(Horizon Weekly / YEREVAN) — Armenia’s constitutional reform process is falling behind schedule, with officials now admitting that the new draft will not be ready by the promised March deadline and is unlikely to be completed before the June parliamentary elections.

Despite earlier assurances from Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan, key chapters, including those on the government and the judiciary, remain unfinished. While the Constitutional Reform Council has shifted to weekly meetings, major political disagreements continue to slow the process.

At the center of the dispute is the government’s growing willingness to remove references to the Declaration of Independence from the Constitution’s preamble, in line with demands from Azerbaijan. Baku has made such changes a condition for signing a peace agreement, arguing that the Declaration implies territorial claims.

Rather than firmly rejecting this pressure, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has openly supported excluding the Declaration, raising concerns that constitutional reforms are being shaped by external demands rather than national interests. Critics warn that this approach risks undermining Armenia’s sovereignty and historical foundations in pursuit of a fragile diplomatic process.

Within the Reform Council, divisions remain deep. Some members insist that the Declaration is a core symbol of Armenia’s independence and democratic identity, while others place greater emphasis on technical and institutional reforms.

Opposition figures have also spoken out against removing the Declaration, viewing the move as a dangerous concession. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Galyan continues to avoid taking a clear public stance.

With key issues unresolved and political pressure mounting, the reform process is increasingly seen as driven by appeasement rather than principled constitutional development.