Political forces, MPs respond to new PM's appointment

 April 14, 2014 - 17:36 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - On April 13, President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree to appoint Hovik Abrahamyan to the post of Armenia’s Prime Minister.

At the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) sitting on the same day, Abrahamyan thanked President Sargsyan for his trust, in full realization of his responsibility in the matter, Tert.am reported.

The new Prime Minister is expected to form a government within 20 days.

Meanwhile, Prosperous Armenia Party commented an earlier statement of the RPA Secretary, deputy parliament speaker Eduard Sharmazanov suggesting Prosperous Armenia and Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun may join the ruling coalition.

However, Prosperous Armenia spokesperson Tigran Urikhanyan noted no such issue to be on the party's agenda, with the latter opposed to constitutional reforms, believing economic ones to be more of a priority.

Orinats Yerkir said the party's stance on new political situation in Armenia will be expressed at a sitting after April 16, Armenia Today said.

In the light of the recent appointment, Heritage party leader Ruben Hakobyan stated that the PM's action program is more important than the personality of the official.

Ex-foreign minister, parliamentarian Alexander Arzumanyan, in turn, remarked that Abrahamyan's appointment came as a compromise, with the latter's candidacy acceptable for the main political forces in Armenia.

Arzumanyan also expressed hope for the new PM to be able to find a compromise in the implementation of mandatory cumulative pension reforms.