We Shouldn't Negotiate with the Opposition to Fulfill Their Legislative Duties: Konyzoryan

Today, on June 16, during a conversation with reporters at the National Assembly, the head of the Civil Contract faction, Hayk Konyzoryan, responded to a question about why the Civil Contract party decided not to nominate the current Prosecutor General Arthur Davtyan, but instead proposed Anna Vardapetyan. He stated that this is a decision made by the political team, which determined that Ms. Vardapetyan's candidacy is the best. Therefore, they made their decision.

“Allow me not to make comparisons. I respect everyone’s past journey and actions taken for the benefit of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia and the interests of the people, but our decision at this moment is this,” he said.

When asked whether it is important for the government that the opposition also participates in the elections for the Prosecutor General and whether they would negotiate with them, Konyzoryan responded, “I believe that in a parliamentary system, the spirit and logic of democracy suggest that it is important for all parliamentary forces to participate in the work of the National Assembly, because that is why citizens have given them mandates. Therefore, yes, it is important for us that everyone participates. When the opposition declared that it would not participate in the presidential election, I even addressed the voters of the opposition in my speech and said that yes, you did not choose us; you chose the opposition, but do you feel satisfied that you are not participating in such an important event as the presidential election? I find that to be a bad action on the part of the opposition. I say the same now: We should not negotiate with the opposition to fulfill their legislative obligations, we should not negotiate with the opposition to justify the taxes paid by taxpayers, nor should we negotiate for the opposition to be honest before their voters and come to work for that which the voter has empowered them.”

“Overall, yes, we would like there to be civilized discussions, that there be civilized debates. We need that as a state,” Konyzoryan emphasized.

He noted that they, of course, discussed Anna Vardapetyan’s candidacy with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. “He is the leader of our political force. We make these decisions as a political team after discussions,” he added.

To the question of whether Arthur Davtyan might be appointed to another position, he replied that there has been no such discussion, and if there are discussions, you will naturally be informed about it.