Inaugural session of Gyumri’s new city council underway

The first session of the newly elected City Council of Gyumri kicked off Wednesday morning. Councillors are expected to elect a mayor. 

The seniormost councillor, the Communist Party’s mayoral candidate Vardan Ghukasyan, is chairing the meeting. 

At Ghukasyan’s offer, the session began with a prayer and then the Gyumri anthem was played.

The Civil Contract faction earlier announced it would boycott the first session and called for a new snap election.

Ghukasyan is expected to secure a coalition vote in the mayoral race as three political forces earlier endorsed him.

Ghukasyan is the only candidate for mayor.

In his speech, he thanked all citizens who cast their vote in the polls.

He said if elected he would adopt the path of “moving forward with solidarity, peace and constructiveness.”