National Assembly gives 'green light' to new government program (video)
Armenian National Assembly voted 85 to 7 to pass in a special session the program presented by the newly-formed cabinet. Six lawmakers abstained from voting. The parliamentary group of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) did not participate in the vote while the Rule of Law Party (OEK) abstained from voting. Before the vote, lawmaker Alexander Arzumanyan said he had neither made a speech nor addressed questions because ‘life has shown that nothing changes after them.’ “I do not want to go to extremes. Many spoke about fairy tales here but people cannot be deprived of their hopes. Your appointment has aroused hopes in people. We do not doubt the level of dignity of the ministers you have appointed, therefore, I shall abstain from voting,” the lawmaker said. Levon Zurabyan, Head of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction, added that they cannot support any government appointed by the ruling party, and ‘we are expressing our non-confidence by voting against the program.’ In his closing speech, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan noted that some speeches were acceptable for him, while others were illogical. Then he referred to speeches of each faction. Addressing the HAK faction, the prime minister said he was ready to discuss with them definite proposals. Karen Karapetyan made a slip of the tongue, when he addressed the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK). “As for the proposals of the Prosperous-Republican Party… Sorry, I did not do it on purpose,” he said. The audience burst into laughter. Mr. Karapetyan then thanked the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) and Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) for the support. “If we adhere to the political stance, we shall achieve success,” he said in conclusion.
