Opposition Hayastan alliance to boycott autumn sessions of parliament
YEREVAN, September 9. /ARKA/. The opposition Hayastan (Armenia) alliance in the Armenian parliament, which demands the resignation of the incumbent authorities, said it will not participate in the autumn session of the National Assembly.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the alliance says the current authorities impose on the National Assembly an agenda unrelated to the immediate threats facing Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), while the gross violations of the National Assembly’s regulations by the ruling Civil Contract party, disregard for international standards for holding sessions and outright abuse of power delegitimize the parliament as a representative body with a primary mandate.
"Under these conditions, we will continue to use the tool of political boycott and will not participate in the sessions of the National Assembly and its committees with artificial agendas," the statement says.
At the same time, the alliance intends to continue active contacts and work with foreign partners and diplomatic missions accredited in the country, as well as participate in international meetings to protect the interests of the country and to voice and condemn the crimes committed against the Armenian people.
Opposition deputies also plan to continue active extra-parliamentary activities and give a new push to the ‘resistance’ movement.
On September 2, the head of the opposition, opposition MP Ishkhan Saghatelyan announced the resistance movement's intention to seek the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan via parliament. To launch this process, according to him, the signatures of one third of MPs (36 people) are needed, while the two opposition parliamentary factions control only 35 seats.
Impeachment requires the votes of 54 MPs. According to the politician, the opposition will also announce the launch of consultations on its Strong Armenia after Nikol (PM Nikol Pashinyan) development program. Regular meetings and discussions with different political forces and experts will be held to this end. -0-
