Ombudsperson denounces ‘inadmissible’ culture of political debate after another brawl in parliament

Human Rights Defender of Armenia Anahit Manasyan has slammed what she described as the “inadmissible” culture of political debates in Armenia after lawmakers once again engaged in a televised angry argument and brawl during the plenary session of parliament.

Manasyan was in parliament as she was presenting a report. 

“The existing culture of political debate in Armenia is, after all, inadmissible,” Manasyan said, without calling out anyone in particular. 

The shouting match erupted between opposition lawmakers and MPs representing the ruling Civil Contract party. “And we must all try to do everything in order to have a political debate befitting a democratic state,” Manasyan said.

“Without targeting anyone, I want to clearly note that such cases are inadmissible in the parliament of a parliamentary state,” she added.

An argument erupted when Vice Speaker Hakob Arshakyan (Civil Contract) took the floor to respond to a statement by MP Levon Kocharyan from the opposition Hayastan faction. Arshakyan and Kocharyan traded bitter words before eventually other MPs intervened, escalating the situation into a brawl.