The draft authored by pro-government MP Vilen Gabrielyan gave rise to a heated debate in the NA Committee on State and Legal Affairs on January 11th. The government proposed an amendment to the NA Rules of Procedure to resolve the issue of the Deputy Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Defense and Security.
According to the proposed amendment, “If the Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee is not elected, the competent faction shall nominate a new candidate within five working days after the voting.” Anna Mkrtchyan, an MP from the I Have Honor faction, is not surprised by this bill, as according to her, the ruling party seized power some time ago, and now it is filling the small gaps left for a full seizure of power. She considered this bill very acceptable by the government, but far too late and mocked, noting that the decision could be implemented until legal solutions are found.
CP MP Vigen Khachatryan also did not like the fact that Aram Vardevanyan started his speech with the phrase “dear compatriots.” He said, “Due to the events, we have received a pro-Serzh, pro-Robert opposition, the aim of which is to disrupt the normal work of the parliament. These people do not believe that the government can do a good thing, it is their right, but it is also my right not to take part in that failure and to mitigate the damage that these people, serving Rob and Serzh, do to our society as much as possible by constantly appealing to dear compatriots!”
Vigen Khachatryan also said that everyone shows their class and upbringing by their behavior. Aram Vardevanyan remarked on what Vigen Khachatryan said, as did Agnesa Khamoyan, saying, “Is this your upbringing and class?” Addressing the latter, Vigen Khachatryan said, “This is not your program and I did not pay you, do not serve me.” The chair of the commission Vladimir Vardanyan intervened, announcing a 15-minute break. Vigen Khachatryan, however, did not calm down, and as he left the hall, he approached Agnesa Khamoyan, reprimanding her for interrupting his speech. Vladimir Vardanyan approached Vigen Khachatryan from behind and took him out of the room.
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Returning and resuming the sitting, Vladimir Vardanyan urged to refrain from expressions that can be considered as provocations of adequate speech and maintain the level of politeness. Speaking about the project itself, he said that the project is not about a person and such projects lead to the fiasco of that person. He assured that there is a gap in the NA Rules of Procedure-Law and it should be supplemented and assured that Artur Ghazinyan’s right to nominate is not restricted. In his concluding speech, the author of the project, Vilen Gabrielyan, called for a vote in favor and ending the “infamous epic of one-person irreplaceability.”
Aram Vardevanyan responded that, in fact, Arthur Ghazinyan’s right to run is limited and the project is about one person. Vladimir Vardanyan countered, saying that this is the opinion of the author of the draft, and he sees something different from the text. Opposition deputies of the commission voted against the bill. The draft was adopted and included in the sitting of the NA Council.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
