Simonyan says opposition failed to seize power in 2020

PanARMENIAN.Net - Tensions flared during a parliamentary debate as Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan clashed with Gegham Manukyan, an MP from the opposition Armenia alliance.

Manukyan questioned which media outlets had campaigned against Vazgen Sargsyan prior to the October 27, 1999 attack. Ruling party MP Vahagn Aleksanyan replied, citing “Dashnak-affiliated press.” In response, Manukyan retorted: “Who said that? Go bang your head on the wall. 'Haykakan Zhamanak' (newspaper name), Nikol Pashinyan—go check the media.”

Simonyan addressed Manukyan’s interjection: “You say someone banged their head on a wall? Then I say it’s you who banged your head.”

According to 1lurer.am , Simonyan urged that he not be threatened: “All of you banging your heads on walls, thinking you can threaten me. You’re doing TV and radio shows no one watches, and no one can sell ads for.”

He asked Manukyan, who was preparing to leave the hall, to remain seated. “Please, sit and listen,” Simonyan said, but Manukyan exited the chamber.

Simonyan then addressed the broader context, asking listeners to imagine a situation where, after 30 years of violence, corruption, and election fraud—including the events of March 1 and October 27—Armenian citizens finally ousted the ruling coalition. This was followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and renewed conflict in Artsakh.

Simonyan stated that the newly elected government sought stabilization, but a so-called “fifth column,” cloaked in patriotic slogans, tried to dismantle the state from within. He said this group aimed to provoke war, bring the conflict into Armenia, change the government, and establish a foreign-controlled regime.

He alleged that this fifth column remains active in Parliament and cooperates with foreign actors.

“The opposition doesn’t want power. There’s plenty of evidence. If you really wanted power, why bring in Vazgen Manukyan? You accuse us of clinging to power—if it was so appealing in late 2020, why didn’t anyone claim it? You brought Manukyan because you didn’t want the responsibility.”

He continued, “After 2020, power was lying on the street. You didn’t take it because you didn’t want responsibility. Later, you brought in a Canadian citizen to avoid taking power. Now, your only goal is to secure seats in the next Parliament.”

Simonyan blamed opposition forces for leading the country into a political deadlock. Regarding the Dashnaktsutyun party, he claimed their local actions had damaged its reputation more than any external force.

“You entered Parliament after the war, within the Armenia alliance, reflecting Robert Kocharyan’s logic,” Simonyan said, suggesting the party might have minimal presence in the next legislature.

Ruling party MP Vahagn Aleksanyan also accused opposition media of inciting hatred, comparing it to the level seen before the October 27, 1999 attack on Vazgen Sargsyan and Karen Demirchyan.