The Armenian parliament has canceled the scheduled committee discussion of a draft law proposing the option of short-term military service—1 or 4 months—in exchange for a payment, according to Aysor.am .

The bill still requires further internal review before it can be brought back to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense and Security.

Gegham Manukyan from the Armenia faction, expressed dismay over the cancellation, noting that the Minister of Defense had already arrived at the parliament. “There is major public discontent. We will push to permanently remove this proposal from Armenia’s legislative agenda,” Manukyan stated.

However, Hayk Sargsyan, the bill’s author and a member of the ruling Civil Contract faction, emphasized that “the society supports the initiative”.

“Many are waiting for this bill to pass, as it would encourage repatriation and help curb emigration,” he argued.

Sargsyan expressed regret over the cancellation and said he hopes the bill will pass in two readings before the upcoming conscription round.

The Human Rights Defender’s office considers the bill problematic, warning that it could deepen social inequality based on financial status and violate the principle of non-discrimination. It creates a system where individuals who can pay receive more favorable treatment—such as reduced service time—compared to those who cannot, leading to an unjust division of a constitutional duty.