Vardan Atabekyan Invites Rubinyan to Meet Voters, But Two Questions Must Be Addressed First

If Ruben Rubinyan is interested and finds the time, I invite him to meet with my voters at the Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church located in the Freedom Fighters Park in Erebuni, where they will explain to him why they chose me and supported my actions.

This was stated by Vardan Atabekyan, a former member of the 'My Step' faction, in a conversation with Tert.am while addressing the remarks made by ruling party MP Ruben Rubinyan, who urged those lawmakers who left 'My Step' but did not resign from their mandates to clarify whom and under what mandate they continue to serve, not just from a documentation perspective but in a political context.

However, according to Atabekyan, before receiving that honor, Rubinyan needs to answer two questions. “First, regarding the very unacceptable behavior of five members in the 'My Step' faction and around 15 other individuals who unlawfully invaded my home. As someone who has been proclaimed a good MP, Ruben Rubinyan should explain what kind of behavior that was, and what assessment he gives it. Secondly, he should gather all the members of his committee, I will cover all expenses, and we will go stand in Artsakh Square. Let him loudly proclaim that ‘Artsakh is Armenia’ and we will see whether our principles have changed or not. If he answers these questions and takes those steps, only then will I invite him to meet with my voters who will explain to him on what grounds I continue to remain an MP and through whose votes I achieved that status,” Atabekyan stated.

When asked about accusations against him and other MPs who left the ruling faction, claiming they became MPs thanks to Nikol Pashinyan’s name, the MP responded, “Yes, Nikol Pashinyan's name was there, but as a member of the ‘Civil Contract’ party, I made my contribution. Since 2015, I have fought alongside the CC party and on the basis of my contribution, I received votes on the electoral list, not by default. There has been a struggle within our teammates and many unfamiliar people who ended up on our list, and thanks to my voters, I have become an MP. I am a CC member, and I have participated in that struggle, meaning there was my share as well. It’s a bit difficult to say how that share will be divided, it’s not in the realm of desires. Such questions can be directed to those MPs who did not go through those tough phases with the CC, whom we did not know but appeared on the admissible list. They should be a bit restrained regarding my case, as I might have much to say, and they might get a bit offended,” he said.

Atabekyan reaffirmed that he will not resign from his mandate and will continue his activities as an independent MP. “It is impossible for me to resign from my mandate. I have said from the beginning, a considerable amount of time has passed since November 9; if I haven't done anything until now, I won't do it. I owe my voters, and I am obliged to fulfill that debt. My goals are clearly stated in the text regarding my departure. I have no political intention; it could be that I will completely resign from political activity,” Atabekyan concluded.

Recall that Atabekyan made the decision to leave 'My Step' after the trilateral statement on November 9, stating that he learned about the statement from the media.