GALUST SAHAKIAN: TODAY POLITICAL SITUATION DOES NOT PRESSUPOSE CHANGE OF PRIME MINISTER

Noyan Tapan

Se p 15, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. "We believe that the change of
the National Assembly speaker will proceed more actively in terms of
discussion of laws, political opinions, and other processes, which
in its turn will strengthen the direct links of the society and the
parliament," member of the National Assembly "Republican Party of
Armenia" (RPA) faction, deputy chairman of the RPA Galust Sahakian
said at Hayeli Club on September 15. In response to the question
about whether it is poissible to ensure regular participation of NA
deputies in sittings and rule out their voting instead of each other
by replacing Tigran Torosian with Hovik Abrahamian, the speaker noted
that "the NA speaker is a person organizing the parliamentary work
rather than a registering person".

In his words, it is the RPA that mainly carries on its shoulders
the responsibility for the country, so the party decides itself the
ways and forms of this responsibility, while the party’s supreme –
executive body has already taken a political decision about the
replacement of the NA speaker.

It was mentioned that the decision will also be discussed at the
September 16 sitting of the RPA board with the participation of the
heads of the regional organizations of the party, and "an attempt will
be made to approve it again by a vote." According to G. Sahakian,
although a decision about the change may be made only by the given
body or "RPA" faction, "the problem concerns a colleague, especially
as he is the speaker of the National Assembly, so it is mandatory
to informs all the links of the party about it, as well as to take
their opinions into account."

As regards the possibility of opposing the indicated decision of the
party, G. Sahakian said that it is mandatory for all the members, and
if anyone does not accept a political decision of the majority, he/she
must either leave the party or come to certain conclusions. G. Sahakian
stated that he does not think that by their step the RPA members
"hit" or "discredit" Tigran Torosian. "There is only one post of
the National Assembly speaker, the RPA has the absolute majority,
there has been an agreement within the coalition, and the RPA decides
itself who will play that role and at what moment," he noted. As for
further activities of T. Torosian, according to G.

Sahakian, he may properly show his worth both in executive power and
other branches of power, but in his opinion, "his work will prove
most efficient at European structures", taking into consideration
his long work experience in such bodies.

Responding to reporters’ questions about the possible change of
the prime minister and the possible appointment of former Armenian
president Robert Kocharian to this post, G. Sahakian declared that
"in general, today the political situation does not presuppose a
change of the prime minister."