News - The PM, no longer the president, to appoint and dismiss Armenia National Security Service director and deputies

At Thursday's Cabinet session, the government approved the draft amendments to the Law on Bodies of the State Administration System, which stipulates that the director and deputies of the National Security Service of Armenia shall be appointed and dismissed by the prime minister, not the president. The explanation of this decision states as follows, in particular: "Taking into account the fact that in accordance with (…) the Law on Bodies of the State Administration System, the [National Security] Service is a body subordinate to the prime minister, while the director and deputy directors of the Service, in accordance with the current regulations, are appointed and dismissed by the president, it is necessary to review the existing regulations in such a way that the prime minister appoints and dismisses the mentioned persons, keeping in mind that the Service is subordinate to the latter [i.e. the PM]." The aforesaid draft amendments are considered urgent and will be sent to the National Assembly.