Armenia's ruling bloc accepts only part of opposition's proposal

Armenia's ruling bloc accepts only part of opposition's proposal

PanARMENIAN.Net - Lawmakers from the ruling My Step bloc have expressed support for a proposal made by opposition Bright Armenia leader Edmon Marukyan about snap elections, but say Marukyan's "preconditions" are not acceptable.

Marukyan earlier proposed to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan what he described the "best way" out of the political crisis in the country. According to him, Pashinyan should first of all take back the draft decree to sack the chief of Army General Staff Onik Gasparyan sent to the President of the country as a first step. In return, the opposition lawmaker promised to sign a memorandum, pledging not to nominate or vote for another candidate for Prime Minister, so that Pashinyan resigns and takes the country to snap elections.

The head of the parliament's standing committee on foreign relations, MP Ruben Rubinyan told reporters on Monday, March 1 that the ruling My Step bloc is ready to sign a memorandum with the Bright Armenia faction without preconditions.

"This (the demand for Pashinyan to withdraw the dismissal of the chief of Army General Staff - Ed.) is an illogical and unacceptable precondition. The chief of the General Staff and his deputy become a political factor and their appointment or dismissal becomes part of a political agreement. This is unacceptable in terms of democracy and the Constitution," Rubinyan said, according to Sputnik Armenia.

"The authorities have already revealed how they see a way out of the situation – the President signs the decision to sack Gasparyan or Gasparyan submits his resignation himself, after which we begin consultations with political forces, including on snap elections."

The head of My Step bloc, Lilit Makunts too weighed in on the matter, saying that her party will accept the part of Marukyan's proposal about the memorandum, Armenpress reports.

"What Mr. Marukyan said is not even subject to discussion," the lawmaker said, adding that in no way should anyone contribute to the violation of the Constitution.

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