The National Assembly of The Republic of Armenia as a Mechanism for Civilian Oversight of the Armed Forces

Abstract

Civilian oversight of the armed forces is one of the fundamental principles of a democratic state, ensuring accountability of military institutions and fostering public trust. In the Republic of Armenia, a country with a parliamentary system of governance, the National Assembly plays a central role in this process. However, the effectiveness of oversight is undermined by several challenges, including the abuse of budgetary secrecy, limited involvement of the opposition, and low levels of public awareness.

The purpose of this study is to identify the shortcomings of parliamentary oversight and propose practical solutions to promote transparency, accountability, and public participation. The article is highly relevant given the modern challenges of democratic consolidation and transparency in defense sector governance. It analyzes the obstacles to parliamentary control, from the excessive classification of budget expenditures to procedural gaps in the discussion of public petitions.

The methodology includes in-depth legal analysis, examination of parliamentary practices, and comparative review of international experience.

The study concludes that the inefficiencies of oversight are due to the unjustified expansion of the “classified” category, limited powers of parliamentary committees, restricted involvement of the opposition and civil society, and the lack of professional preparedness among parliamentarians. The article proposes systemic reforms, including the declassification and publication of non-sensitive data, enhanced engagement of civil society and the opposition, and improvements in the procedure for petition review.

The scientific novelty of the article lies in the formulation of concrete and feasible recommendations for strengthening parliamentary oversight. This contributes to building public trust in Armenia’s defense governance and emphasizes the role of parliament in deepening democratic governance.