Hovik Abrahamyan elected Armenia’s parliament speaker

YEREVAN, May 31. /ARKA/. Hovik Abrahamyan, a member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, is elected as a Speaker of the National Assembly of the fifth convocation on Thursday, ARKA correspondent reports. 

Some 110 deputies participated in the voting process, of them 102 deputies voted for the candidate, and 4- against. Four ballots were considered as invalid. 

On May 30 the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) nominated Hovik Abrahamyan for the post of a Parliament Speaker.

Hovik Abrahamyan was born in Mkhchyan village of Ararat province of Armenia in 1958. He graduated from Yerevan Institute of National Economy ( the current Yerevan State University of Economics) and was a parliament deputy within 1995-1999. Throughout 1995-1996 he headed the Executive Committee of Artashat’s City Council.

He held the positions of Artashat Mayor, governor of Ararat province, Minister of territorial administration and coordination of urban development, Minister of territorial administration, Minister of territorial administration and infrastructure coordination, Deputy Prime Minister. 

Abrahamyan was also a chief of Presidential apparatus. On September 29, 2008, he was elected as a National Assembly Speaker. Since 2005, Abrahamyan is also a member of the National Security Council of Armenia.

He is a member of the Republican’s Party Council as well as the executive body. 

Abrahamyan is awarded with Anania Shirakatsi, Marshal Baghramyan and other medals, as well as service medal of Prime Minister. 

The Republican Party of Armenia won the majority of votes, receiving 44.02% (664, 440 votes). 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).

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. --0--