Epress.am News from Armenia
The Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Territorial Administration, Armen Gevorgyan, presented his resignation. The resignation was announced today, October 16th, during the government’s regular session by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan. According to the PM, Gevorgyan plans to continue his work in the private sector.
Recall, that yesterday, the Haykakan Zhamanak daily wrote that rumors among the authorities are stating that Minister of Transport and Communications, Gagik Beglaryan (aka Chorni Gago) may replace Armen Gevorgyan as deputy PM. According to the Hraparak paper, the Prime Minister’s most favorable choice to replace Gevorgyan is Finance Minister Gagik Khachatryan.
The reasoning behind the paper’s claim is that, one way or another, Khachatryan’s present status and leverage gives him powers resembling that of a deputy PM, and that there is intent to transfer the status of the deputy PM from Ministry of Territorial Administration to the Ministry of Finance.
In early October, it was reported that Armen Gevorgyan had submitted his resignation after PM Abrahamyan had re-appointed Surik Khachatryan (aka Liska) as Governor of Syunik. Other sources report that he was displeased with staff changes in the government and complained that he was unable to work with new employees.
Recall, Hovik Abrahamyan took over the position of PM last April, after Tigran Sargsyan had resigned from the position after 6 years.