Armenia improves standing in 2018 Democracy Index by 8 notchesJanuary 9, 2019 - 16:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Raising its score to 4.79 in 2018 - from 4.11 a year earlier - Armenia has jumped in its ranking from 111 to 103 in the Economist Intelligence Unit's annual report on democracy, which measures a total of 167 countries worldwide. The report gives each country a 0 to 10 score based on concrete indicators (electoral processes and pluralism; civil liberties; functioning of government; political participation; and political culture), with 0 being negative and 10 positive. According to the report, based on their management systems the countries are classified into four main groups: full democracies (8-10), flawed democracies (6-8), hybrid regimes (4-6), and authoritarian regimes (0-4). Armenia saw the most improvement among all “hybrid regime” countries in eastern Europe in 2018, the study reveals. "The 'velvet revolution' against an attempt by Serzh Sargsyan, the former president, to stay in power by switching to the post of prime minister resulted in the appointment of Nikol Pashinyan, an opposition leader, as prime minister. Pashinyan’s opposition coalition subsequently swept the Yerevan municipal election and won a staggering 70% of the vote in a parliamentary election in December 2018," the reports reminds. "These developments, and Pashinyan’s subsequent anti-corruption campaign, improved the country’s scores for government accountability and transparency. The EIU assessment maintains that recent developments in the country also resulted in a vast improvement in citizens’ perception of corruption and confidence in the government and political parties. Meanwhile, Georgia and Azerbaijan are ranked the 89th and 149th, respectively. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |