Armenian parliament session fails to start amid lack of quorum
The regular four-day session of the Armenian National Assembly failed to begin on Wednesday due to a lack of quorum, with only 27 lawmakers registered.
Citing Article 51.4 of the law “On Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly”, Parliament Speaker Ara Babloyan reminded that the registration of MPs will continue until there is a quorum, but no longer than four hours.
Tsarukyan Alliance MP Vahe Enfiajyan announced the party’s decision not to take part in the four-day session of the parliament as a ‘political boycott’.
“There is an unprecedented situation in the country. Tsarukyan Alliance announces a political boycott and it will not take part in this four-day work,” he said.
The parliament voted down opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan’s bid to become prime minister on Tuesday.
Pashinyan, the head of the Yelk opposition faction, was the sole candidate in the parliamentary vote, but failed to get the majority of the votes following nine hours of debates.
He received 45 votes in favour and 56 against.
According to the Constitution, if a prime minister is not elected, a new election is to be held seven days after the first vote. If a PM is not elected by the majority of the total number of MPs in one week, the National Assembly will be dissolved.