Epress.am News from Armenia
Earlier today, National Assembly Chair Hovik Abrahamyan read his official resignation, which he had publicly declared 10 days ago. The parliamentary speaker has been assigned to run the ruling Republican Party of Armenia’s election campaign headquarters ahead of the May 2012 parliamentary elections.
“You already know that I will be heading the Republican Party [of Armenia] headquarters and I have already announced that to prepare for this important task I have decided to resign from my authorities as National Assembly chair early,” he said.
When he was elected for the parliamentary speaker position on Sept. 29, 2008, Abrahamyan noted, he had said that the parliament’s activities must be transparent and the parliament, accessible for the public.
“Lest I sound immodest, but I believe we succeeded in ensuring the parliament’s activities are as transparent as possible and bringing the parliament-public ties closer,” he said.
Abrahamyan thanked the National Assembly deputies for their joint work, as well as for their criticisms — referring to Heritage Party MP Stepan Safaryan, in particular. Safaryan, speaking after Abrahamyan left the room, recalled that three years ago, the Heritage Party did not endorse Abrahamyan’s candidacy and that during the past, his party’s and Abrahamyan’s relations weren’t always smooth.
Regardless, Safaryan also thanked the outgoing parliamentary speaker for his work.
Note, Abrahamyan has announced that he is not preparing to resign from his parliamentary duties.