Azernews.Az

By Laman Sadigova

Armenia held a referendum on December 6 to make constitutional changes that would give more powers to the prime minister and parliament at the expense of the president.

The opposition has declared the reform as an attempt by President Serzh Sargsyan to extend his rule after his current second term ends in 2018.

If these constitutional amendments are adopted, it will allow Sargsyan to rule the country, either as the parliament’s speaker or the prime minister, as well as will entrench his political force, the Republican Party of Armenia in the power.

The Central Election Commission reported that so far reformers win the referendum, while the opposition claims of numerous violations.

Following the referendum, the opposition has strongly criticized the proposed changes and has held a number of protests that have brought a few thousand people onto the streets. People massively went to the streets to express their disapproval and distrust to the authorities.

The local press reports about the aggression that the police uses against the protesters.

Earlier today, the "New Armenia" National Salvation Front called on its supporters to hold a rally.

Numerous police officers were spotted near the building of the Central Election Commission.

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Follow Laman Sadigova on Twitter: @s_laman93

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