I Am Not Threatening, I Am Saying It Directly: Alen Simonyan on Revoking Mandates from the Opposition

The Parliament's activities are not affected by the opposition's absence; instead, it is the opposition that is suffering. This was stated by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonyan, during a briefing with journalists regarding the opposition factions' decision not to return to the parliament and not participate in the autumn session meetings.

“They continue to occupy the rooms and receive their salaries. Recently, I reviewed a survey conducted among our citizens, where 90% of them, regardless of their political preferences, view the opposition's style negatively. I do not believe that being absent from the parliament for an extended period will go without consequences; I do not think we will provide them with that opportunity again,” said Simonyan.

When asked whether he was threatening that a process to revoke mandates from the opposition would begin, Simonyan replied: “I am not threatening, I am saying it directly; this is a requirement of the law. I am confident that if elections were held this Friday, none of them would appear in the National Assembly hall. I have internal information that they have divided into two groups: one says let's go, the other says no; I don’t know what the final decision will be, but I am very firm on this. We have no problem bringing them into the hall; let them not come.”

Alen Simonyan also noted that they are waiting for the opposition to propose new candidates for the positions of Vice President of the National Assembly and several committee chairpersons; otherwise, these positions will remain vacant.