Politics of Armenia
The President of the Republic of Armenia is the head of state, elected by direct universal suffrage. The highest legislative body is the National Assembly. In 1990 the first democratic legislative elections were held and in 1991 the President of the Republic was also elected. The president appoints the prime minister, who in turn chooses the government ministers. Armenia is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Robert Kocharian, the country's former president between 1998 and 2008, is not part of the communist party, rooted in the legacy that the USSR left in Armenia. This government is considered to be of a nationalist nature.
Current Constitution: July 5, 1995.
Legal suffrage system: 18 years, universal.
Executive system: President of the Republic (Head of State elected by direct popular vote), Vice President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
| Members of the Government of the Republic of Armenia (2 February 2003, CIA source) | |
Chairman | Vahagn Jachaturián |
Prime Minister | Andranik Markarián |
Minister of Agriculture | David Zadoyan |
Minister of Culture, Youth Sports | Roland Sharoyan |
Minister of Defence | Serzhik Sarkisyan |
Minister of Education and Science | Levon Mkrtchian |
Minister of Energy | Armen Movsisian |
Minister of Environment | Vartan Ayvazyan |
Minister of Finance | Vartan Khachatryan |
Minister for Foreign Affairs | Vartan Oskanyan |
Minister of Health | Ararat Mkrtchian |
Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures | Ovik Abramyan |
Minister of Trade and Economic Development | Karen Jshmartian |
Minister of Justice | David Harutyunian |
Minister of State Heritage Management | David Vardanian |
Minister of National Security | Karlos Petrossian |
Minister of Finance | Yervand Zakharyan |
Minister of Social Welfare | Razmik Martirosian |
Minister of Transport and Communication | Andranik Manukyan |
Minister of Urbanism | David Lokyan |
President of the National Bank | Tigran Sarkisyan |
Ambassador to the United States | Arman Kirakosian |
Permanent Representation to the UN, New York | Movses Abelian |
- Previous Head of Government: Armen Darbinyan (April 1998).
Legislative system: National Assembly (190 members)
Judicial system: Supreme Court, attorney general, and minor courts.
Political Division: 10 regions and 21 cities.
Subdivisional government: Each district has its own legislative and executive body.