ArmInfo. Alen Simonyan, Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, announced that he does not intend to accept a parliamentary mandate or serve in the 9th convocation of the parliament. He made this statement on July 2 in a conversation with journalists in parliament, asking whether he intended to relinquish his parliamentary mandate given his failure to be re-elected as Speaker of the Armenian Parliament.
Simonyan admitted that he would like to continue serving as Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, but understands that there is a board and a party, and they make the decision.
"I abide by this decision, and therefore, I will leave my position. I have no hard feelings, as I believe that the work process requires change. I believe that at some point I will be useful to our country and the party. Another issue was also discussed with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the party board: I will not accept the mandate and will not come to parliament as an MP," Simonyan said.
Regarding the reason for this decision, the current Speaker of the Armenian Parliament responded that he simply wants to rest. He assured that his relinquishment of the mandate is in no way related to his failure to be re-elected as Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia. "This has been a difficult period for me. Remember, this is a post-war parliament that has endured many challenges and difficult situations. The work I carried out together with my colleagues was very difficult. Therefore, I want to rest now. Besides this, I have a personal life, and I want to improve that as well," Simonyan noted.
According to him, no other agreements on these matters are currently in place. He also clarified that he could only be involved in politics within the framework of the Civil Contract party. "I don't see myself in any political process without Pashinyan. There's no hard feelings here. Don't burden him or me with these questions anymore," Simonyan concluded.
As a reminder, following a secret ballot within the governing body of Armenia's Civil Contract party, Ruben Rubinyan, the current Vice Speaker of the Republic, was elected as the candidate for Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia.
RA Government guarantees high salaries for CC justices, Syunik families deprived of family benefits - politician 
Armenian experts, leading Turkish think tanks discuss prospects for expanding cooperation 
Political Scientist: As long as the opposition remains silent, Pashinyan can use Plan B and secure a constitutional majority
US-Iranian memorandum more beneficial for Iran from political and economic perspective - expert 
Zakharova: Armenia`s pro-EU pivot poses economic security risks to EAEU member states
It`s time for South Caucasus countries to think of South Caucasus as single, unified region - RA premier 
Pashinyan: Armenia and Azerbaijan should leave each other alone
Moscow sees situation with Armenia as attempt to attack Russia-involving integration associations - Russian presidential aid
Zakharova: Armenia views relations with Russia as tool for financially securing reorientation toward EU
The Armenian Minister of Justice and the EU Ambassador discussed visa liberalization issues for Yerevan.
Azerbaijan`s aggressive plans against Armenia became possible in wake of Pashinyan`s decisions on Artsakh - expert 
Zakharova: Russia sent a note of protest to Armenia over the act of vandalism at the "Mother Armenia" memorial in Gyumri
Samvel Karapetyan proposes creating a post-election opposition coalition
Artsakh`s Cultural Heritage Ombudsman called on Moscow to respond to destruction of WWII monuments by Azerbaijan in occupied NKR
Prosecutor General`s Office petitions Central Electoral Commission for criminal prosecution of Robert Kocharyan
Dutch Prime Minister expresses his support for Armenia`s democratic reform and economic diversification agenda
Heritage: It`s time for Armenia`s opposition to present people with legitimate alternative to power
RA Security Council Sec, Assistant to President of Azerbaijan hold negotiations in Dilijan 
CEC Neutralizes PAP: Three Political Forces to Enter Armenian Parliament Following Election Vote
