RPA member urges not to focus on MPs’ attendance

 May 30, 2012 - 19:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Deputy chairman of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) shared his expectations from the new parliament.

“The elections were held in balanced atmosphere which enables parliament’s more systematic activity. National Assembly’s current convocation includes more politicians. This implies deeper discussion of issues,” Galust Sahakyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter during distribution of mandates.

Asked whether RPA intends to improve its MPs’ discipline, particularly their attendance at parliament meetings, he urged not to focus on the issue, noting that parliament’s activity depends on the stages of discussion the bills undergo.

The ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) took a decisive victory at the parliamentary elections on May 6 gaining 44,02% of votes.

The coalition Prosperous Armenia party comes second with 30,12% of votes and the opposition ANC is placed third with 7,08%.

The opposition parties Heritage (5,76%) and ARF Dashnaktsutyun (5,67%), as well as the third coalition Orinats Yerkir party (5,51%) also joined the new parliament.

RPA gained absolute majority of 69 seats in the 131-member National Assembly, 40 by proportional and 29 by majority system of voting. Prosperous Armenia got 37 seats (28 by proportional and 9 by majority systems) and ANC was left with 7.

Dashnaktsutyun and Orinats Yerkir got 6 seats each (5 by proportional and 1 by majority systems), while Heritage got 5.