July 11, 2026 - 11:17 AMT
Vayots Dzor, Lori governors reject mandates

Following the allocation of parliamentary mandates, Vayots Dzor Governor Vahagn Arsenyan and Lori Governor Aren Mkrtchyan decided to stay in regional government rather than join the legislature.

Vahagn Arsenyan, representing the ruling Civil Contract party, announced that he had declined his seat in the National Assembly in order to continue serving as governor of Vayots Dzor.

“I have declined my mandate as a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and will continue fulfilling my duties as Governor of Vayots Dzor,” Arsenyan said.

Lori Governor Aren Mkrtchyan made the same choice, stating that he would not take up his parliamentary seat and would instead remain in charge of the region.

“I have declined my National Assembly mandate and will continue my work as Governor of Lori,” he wrote.

According to the results of the June 7 parliamentary election, three political forces secured representation in the legislature: the governing Civil Contract party, the Strong Armenia alliance, and the Hayastan alliance. Civil Contract obtained 64 seats, while Strong Armenia won 29, while Hayastan received 12.

Earlier, Shirak Governor Davit Arushanyan also announced that he would forgo his parliamentary mandate.