Next time, don’t interrupt me while I’m speaking: Sasun Mikayelyan and Edmon Marukyan clash

Members of the National Assembly’s "My Step" faction, Sasun Mikayelyan and the head of the "Bright Armenia" faction, Edmon Marukyan, engaged in a debate during the January 14 session. The reason was Marukyan's response to member of the "Prosperous Armenia" faction Arman Abovyan regarding who should be the opposition deputy speaker of the National Assembly.

"We do not dispute that the Prosperous Armenia Party is the second political force in the National Assembly. That is a fact. We dispute whether the 3rd deputy chairman of the National Assembly should be from the Prosperous Armenia Party or the Bright Armenia Party. We say that we are the contenders for that position because our deputy speaker as an opposition member would be better. There is nothing personal; we have no fight with you because you will not determine whether Ms. Tandilyan will be the deputy chairman or not. Our fight is with them; they should be held accountable," Marukyan said, addressing Abovyan, alluding to the parliamentary majority.

Marukyan’s use of the word “they” did not sit well with Sasun Mikayelyan, prompting him to make some remarks from his seat, although his comments were not audible because he did not have a microphone.

"Do you have something to say, Mr. Mikayelyan?" asked Mikayelyan, inquiring who Marukyan was referring to as “they.”

Marukyan responded that he meant the political majority.

This response angered Mikayelyan, who then began to react to Marukyan’s answer from his seat. "Next time, don’t interrupt me while I’m speaking, please register if you have something to say. How is it that only you were offended? I know you very well. Please do not interrupt me next time when I am speaking. I have expressed myself with the utmost respect, and if you were offended by ‘they,’ I can apologize, but it will come out that only you were offended. No one defends their dignity more than others; we are all colleagues, and there is no need to take it to another field," Marukyan replied.

It should be noted that the Prosperous Armenia Party has nominated Vahe Enfiajyan for the position of the 3rd deputy chairman of the National Assembly, while the Bright Armenia Party has nominated Mane Tandilyan.

Video: NEWS.am