07.05.2007 - Source: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Basic data on "Country of Laws" party ("Political parties of the republic of Armenia participating in the national assembly elections 2007; Voters Guidebook") [ID 19813]

"1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Address of the head office: 43 Abovyan, Yerevan

Legal address: 14 Koryun, Yerevan

Telephone, fax: (+37410) 56-99-69, 56-91-11, 56-99-69

E-mail: info@oek.am

Website: www.oek.am

Foundation date: 1997

State registration date: 20.03.1998

State re-registration: 29.12.2000, 18.11.2003

Official mass media of the Party: “Orinats Yerkir” official newspaper

2. GOVERNING BODIES AND THE LEADER OF THE PARTY

Congress

Political Board

Administration

Party President: Artur Baghdasaryan

3. IDEOLOGICAL PLATFORM, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PARTY
Ideology of the party is based on the following provisions:

Hope, and not creation of hopeless society;

Elevation of national spirit;

Building a country which will be competitive and will enjoy reputation in the region and world.
Objectives of the Party’s activity are the following:

the laws should be adopted based on long-term national programs, and should serve for development of the nation and country;

the law should not be forceless and no one should have privileges against the law;

the laws should be enforced."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Orinats Yerkir party lost many members following its withdrawal from the governing coalition; reports that members were threatened with loss of employment and the closure of their businesses ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20323]

"The Orinats Yerkir party lost many members following its withdrawal from the governing coalition on May 12. Party leader Artur Baghdasarian asserted later that the president's office had pressured them to leave the faction, and there were reports that members were threatened with loss of employment and the closure of their businesses."

Document(s): Open document

11.01.2006 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Culture and youth minister Hovik Hovein from Orinats Yerkir Party (Country of Law Party) resigned when being linked to incident at office of local electricity department leaving several staff members injured; case could lead to split in governing coalition ("Armenia: Political Sparks Fly") [#41654],  [ID 2895]

Document(s): Open document

12.06.2003 - Source:

Armenialiberty (RFE/RL): Coalition formed by Orinats Yerkir party, Republican Party (HHK) and Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) ("30.06.2003 - Armenialiberty (RFE/RL): Pro-Kocharian Majority Picks Leadership Of New Parliament") [ID 2896]

"Political allies of President Robert Kocharian promptly installed on Thursday the leadership of Armenia’s new parliament in the conspicuous absence of opposition lawmakers who boycotted its opening session in protest against irregularities that marred last month’s elections.

The deputies voted by 92 to 6 to elect the leader of the Orinats Yerkir party, Artur Baghdasarian, as speaker of the National Assembly. They also overwhelmingly appointed Tigran Torosian of the Republican Party (HHK) and Vahan Hovannisian of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) as his two deputies.

The votes became a mere formality after the three parties sealed on Wednesday an agreement to form a coalition government together with Kocharian. The distribution of the top posts in the parliament was also part of the deal."

Document(s): 30.06.2003 - Armenialiberty (RFE/RL): Pro-Kocharian Majority Picks Leadership Of New Parliament

11.06.2003 - Source:

Armenialiberty (RFE/RL): Agreement to form a coalition government by Republican Party (HHK), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) and Orinats Yerkir (Country) ("11.06.2003 - Armenialiberty (RFE/RL): Kocharian, Loyal Parties Seal Coalition Deal") [ID 2897]

"President Robert Kocharian and three major parties supporting him pledged Wednesday to jointly rule Armenia for the next four years as they formalized an agreement to form a coalition government and divide senior posts in the new parliament.

The deal took the form of a joint declaration signed by the leaders of the Republican Party (HHK), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) and Orinats Yerkir (Country) at a special ceremony in the presidential palace. It allows Kocharian to continue to name the ministers of defense, justice and foreign affairs in addition to his direct control of the law-enforcement bodies.

The HHK leader, Andranik Markarian, will remain prime minister. His party, the controversial winner of the May 25 elections, will retain its control over seven ministries, including those of finance, energy and industry. Markarian said all but “one or two” incumbent Republican ministers will stay on.

As was widely anticipated, Dashnaktsutyun and Orinats Yerkir will get three ministerial portfolios each. The Dashnaks, who earlier accused the Republicans of manipulating the vote results, will take over the ministries of agriculture, health and social security.

Orinats Yerkir will run the ministries of culture, education and urban development. The populist party’s biggest prize is the post of parliament speaker. It will be given to its 34-year-old leader, Artur Baghdasarian. His two deputies will be named by the two other pro-Kocharian groups.

Also, Orinats Yerkir and the HHK will each run two parliamentary committees. The two other committees will be given to Dashnaktsutyun and a parliamentary group representing non-partisan lawmakers.

“I am ready to share responsibility with you in the next four or five years,” Kocharian told his allies.

The recently reelected president also warned that a collapse of the coalition could undermine political stability in Armenia. “If the coalition works effectively we will have stability in our country,” he said. “If not, we will have problems.”

“There will be many internal and external challenges,” Markarian agreed. “We must be able to meet them jointly.”

Markarian emphasized that the HHK’s two coalition partners agreed to shoulder responsibility for the entire government, not just their ministries. This was a key condition set by the Republicans during the post-election power-sharing negotiations. They have also agreed to Dashnaktsutyun’s demand that each of the three parties be allowed to withdraw its ministers at will."

Document(s): 11.06.2003 - Armenialiberty (RFE/RL): Kocharian, Loyal Parties Seal Coalition Deal