Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan congratulates ANC on entering new parliament

YEREVAN, May 31. /ARKA/. The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC) on entering the new parliament, ARKA parliament correspondent reports on Thursday. 

Yesterday ANC released a statement where informed that the Congress will not be present at the first session of the National Assembly. 

“I think that we will have an active parliament that has assembled the principal influential political forces. I am glad that all the political forces, represented in the parliament of the previous convocation, received seats in the new National Assembly as well, and I congratulate the Armenian National Congress on entering this parliament,” the President said. 

According to Sargsyan, the political forces represented in the parliament, have different viewpoints on various issues. 

“We expect discussion, sometimes even tense ones, sometimes they will agree or not. Sometimes we will understand each other, sometimes not, but the goals for which we came to the parliament are the most important aspects here,” he underlined. 

Sargsyan also expressed his gratitude to the previous parliament deputies for their work. 

“I also welcome all those who have became parliament deputies for the first time and I wish you productive work. I think all of us have some fresh impressions fr om meetings in the framework of the election campaign. People elected us because they believed in us. I wish us to work in the way everyone can appreciate rather than get disappointed and regret their choice. We can do a lot. Each deputy has thousands of votes and people backing him. You are entrusted to put these votes into the parliament. This is a decent and responsible mission,” the head of state said. 

“ I don’t think that an idea born in different social strata will fail to enter the parliament. I am sure that our deputies will never lim it themselves with cabinet activities and will ensure the dialogue between the parliament and society,” he added. 

New parliament deputies sworn in Thursday at the first session of the National Assembly. 

The Republican Party of Armenia won the majority of votes, receiving 44.02% (664, 440 votes) and thus 69 seats in 131-seat parliament. By this the Party will hold the posts of the Speaker, Vice-Speaker and Prime Minister. The Prosperous Armenia Party received 30,12% of votes (454, 673 votes) and 37 seats (28 under proportional, and 9- popular vote) in 131-seat parliament The third place was given to opposition block Armenian National Congress- 7.08% (106, 903 and 7 seats).

Five-percent barrier was overcome by oppositional Heritage (5.76% or 86, 998 votes) and Dashnaktsutyun (5.67% or 85, 550) as well as coalition Otinats Yerkir – 5.51% or 83, 123 votes. All of them received 5 seats in the parliament under the proportional system. A representative of Orinats Yerkir entered the parliament under majoritarian system. —0—