The RA NA delegation to the Organization led by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, the Head of the delegation Ruben Rubinyan takes part in the work of the PACE Session going on in Strasbourg. During the Session the member of the NA delegation Arusyak Julhakyan gave a speech.
“Thank you, Chair!
Dear Colleagues,
Political parties are extremely important for democracy. Democracies can’t function without them. But it is much more important that political parties speak and work for democracy. Parties which tolerate or normalize restriction of civil liberties, the use of extraordinary powers in their interests not only weaken pluralism, but also open the door to authoritarian retreat.
It’s important to emphasize the present danger. Many of our countries, including Armenia are actively facing antidemocratic parties backed by external authoritarian forces that seek to undermine and distort our political life. These efforts take various forms: financing, disinformation campaigns and the use of international platforms to legalize antidemocratic actors, up to the use of connections available at this Assembly. And we must discuss how we are going to combat those threats.
A free, transparent and competitive party system plays an indispensable role. Transparency is a prerequisite for political legitimacy. Political parties cannot claim to represent the people if these people cannot see who funds these parties, who pays for policies and who stands behind.
Internal democracy is also of crucial importance for parties. How the governing body of a party is elected? How the electoral lists within the parties are generated? All this shows the level of internal democracy of a party. And if a party is not democratic internally then how it can bring democratic development to the country while exercising power.
Political parties also have a huge role in raising public trust and confidence in the political system. For this it is necessary that the parties develop and adopt codes of conduct for their members, which should include integrity related provisions.
Dear colleagues, despite the existing challenges, we must stay committed to protecting and strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as ensuring financial and public transparency of political parties and a multiparty, competitive political field.
Thank you,” Arusyak Julhakyan said.
