QP to Discuss Revoking Mandates of Absent Opposition Members: Pashinyan

The "Civil Contract" faction of the National Assembly of Armenia will soon discuss the issue of revoking the mandates of opposition members who are absent from sessions. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this during a live session on his Facebook page while responding to questions from media and NGOs.

In response to opposition claims that their parliamentary mandate was given by the people and cannot be taken back, Pashinyan emphasized that the mandate was granted within the framework of the law and the Constitution. “The Armenian legislation and Constitution provide a procedure for revoking the mandate of an NA deputy, which is related to being absent for more than half of the votes during a single session,” he added.

The Prime Minister recalled that he had also been in opposition, and his political force had organized protests and revolutions, yet he had never been absent from more than half of the votes of a session as an NA deputy. Pashinyan reminded the opposition: “Parliamentary activity not only does not hinder but, I highly doubt, if I were not an NA deputy and did not have the NA platform, could my political team implement the political processes that occurred? The people, the Constitution, the law have stated how the mandate is granted and how it can be revoked. Will this happen? There is a procedure. I know that there will be a discussion on this topic in the QP faction soon, and the faction's position on this issue is very important,” he said.

If the NA council decides to revoke a mandate, the issue will then be submitted to the Constitutional Court, which will make the final decision. Pashinyan did not consider it appropriate to express his personal stance, as discussions and final decisions are still pending within the QP faction and political team on this matter.