This Decision Was Not Easily Made: Why Did the My Step MP Resign Their Mandate?

Gyane Abrahamyan, a member of the 'My Step' faction in the National Assembly, has resigned from her mandate. Abrahamyan wrote on her Facebook page:

'Dear fellow citizens,
After long reflections, I have decided to terminate my powers as a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia of the 7th convocation. I fully realize that when accepting the mandate, a huge responsibility and trust were granted to me by the ruling force and the citizens, which I was supposed to achieve. However, let me clarify that I have viewed the parliamentary mandate as a means for solving problems and implementing the extensive work of our declared reforms, and in this regard, effectiveness is paramount; otherwise, the mandate and the status may become an end in themselves, which is unacceptable to me.

I assure you that this decision was not easy to make, but it is extremely important to be in harmony with my principles and values when making significant decisions for the future of our state and people. I have never shied away from responsibility and struggle. When I accepted the mandate, as a journalist with at least twenty years of experience, I understood that there would be political decisions with which I would not agree. However, each of us, in our individual domain, places a value-based boundary at the center of our work, crossing which would mean prioritizing status as a goal rather than as a means.

For years, through my journalistic and social activities, I have fought for the restoration of justice in our country, the establishment of the rule of law, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and the protection of fundamental human rights. I had prioritized the strengthening of the institutional foundations of these aspects, the reform of the judicial system, and the implementation of transitional justice mechanisms as a representative of the ruling force.

During my 20 months of work in the legislature, I, along with my entire political team and parliamentary colleagues, have traveled a difficult but extremely important and productive road, for which I thank everyone.

Personally, I have made efforts and worked on the restoration of the rights of displaced citizens from Northern and Main boulevards, the social issues of refugees and forcibly displaced persons, changes to the law on freedom of speech and the press (the most important amendments to the law are fully prepared, and I hope it will be presented for circulation by the faction), the creation of institutional foundations for the protection of women's and children's rights, and addressing numerous issues of thousands of citizens. Many will attest that during these almost two years, I have been accessible around the clock.

Pushing forward the interests of our country and people has been the main focus of my parliamentary activity on numerous platforms of parliamentary diplomacy. As the head of the Armenia-Czech Republic friendship group in the Armenian National Assembly and a member of the Eastern Partnership 'Euronest' Parliamentary Assembly delegation, I have spared no effort in cooperating with the European Union in bilateral and multilateral formats, establishing and deepening new ties, and presenting and advancing issues of state interest for Armenia and the Artsakh problem through various diplomatic channels, where I believe I have recorded important achievements.

I am grateful for the vote and trust given to me during this crucial time in our state. Just as I was two years ago, today I am equally convinced that the Velvet, non-violent revolution is one of the significant chapters of our recent history, and now, more than ever, we have the most genuine opportunity to build a democratic and powerful Armenia.'