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Grigor Yeritsyan, a former member of Yerevan's City Council from the ruling My Step bloc, weighed in on the situation around Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan. Yeritsyan stepped down as a member of the City Council on 17 December in protest against a motion of no-confidence in Marutyan initiated by his bloc.

In a public post on Facebook on Monday, he dismissed the claims of Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party that Marutyan left the party “at the most difficult time” for it. According to the former councillor, the mayor decided to quit Civil Contract before the 44-day war in Artsakh, not after, as Marutyan's opponents claim. Even before the war, the rift between the mayor and the City Council, as well as the ruling team, became apparent, he stated.

"The war breaks out, and, naturally, all differences are put aside. One month after the war, in December, the mayor submits a petition to leave the party, the reasons for which, I hope, he will unveil soon. Against the background of the political crisis and possible snap elections, the leadership of the party asks the mayor not to publicize his decision, which he agrees to," Yeritsyan wrote.

According to him, on the eve of the parliamentary elections, the mayor of Yerevan was accused of not participating in the electoral processes and not supporting the ruling party, knowing full well that he had left its ranks.

Regardless of his status, the mayor would not have used administrative resources, Yeritsyan stated. “The news about his withdrawal from the party begins to circulate when an order is given to demand the mayor’s resignation. Naturally, the latter refuses to comply with the demand, after which the mechanism of the City Council is launched,” he noted.

The City Council announced an extraordinary session on 22 December to debate the draft motion of no-confidence in Marutyan. It is expected that the motion will be put up for voting on the same day.