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A dispute broke out in parliament on Aug. 19 after opposition Strong Armenia MP David Ghazinyan was removed from the chamber during a discussion of fellow faction member Arega Hovsepyan’s candidacy to chair the Standing Committee on European Integration.
Hovsepyan delivered her concluding remarks, after which Deputy Speaker Vahagn Aleksanyan said he wanted to make a comment about her speech. Strong Armenia MPs interjected from their seats, prompting Aleksanyan to issue a warning to them.
In particular, the deputy speaker warned Strong Armenia faction secretary Tigran Abrahamyan.
“MP Tigran Abrahamyan, you are being issued a warning,” Aleksanyan said.
Ghazinyan responded from his seat: “We are issuing you a warning as well.”
Aleksanyan then warned Ghazinyan as well.
“You cannot issue me a warning, Mr. David Ghazinyan. You are also being issued a warning,” Aleksanyan said.
Ghazinyan continued to respond from his seat, after which Aleksanyan imposed a disciplinary measure, depriving him of the right to speak during one sitting.
Ghazinyan continued to object to the deputy speaker’s decisions, prompting Aleksanyan to order his removal from the chamber.
“Disciplinary action is being taken against MP David Ghazinyan by removing him from the sittings to be held until the end of the day, depriving him of the right to remain in the chamber during that time,” Aleksanyan said, asking Ghazinyan to leave the chamber.
Aleksanyan repeated his request several times, but Ghazinyan remained seated. He then called in parliamentary security officers to remove Ghazinyan from the chamber.
Ghazinyan subsequently indicated that he would leave voluntarily.
Aleksanyan said Ghazinyan was leaving voluntarily and also called on Civil Contract MPs to remain calm.
“Dear colleagues, he is leaving. Let him leave,” Aleksanyan said.
Several other Strong Armenia MPs also left the chamber with Ghazinyan.
Afterward, Armenia Alliance MP Gegham Manukyan accused Aleksanyan of violating the National Assembly’s rules of procedure. In response, Aleksanyan urged Manukyan to return to his seat.
The National Assembly is currently discussing the candidacy of Nazeli Baghdasaryan for chair of the Standing Committee on Labor and Social Affairs.