FORMER WINE-MAKER BECOMES ARMENIAN SPEAKER
AssA-Irada
October 2, 2008 Thursday
Azerbaijan
A member of the Armenian parliament from the ruling Republican Party,
Ovik Abramian, has been elected speaker of the countrys legislative
body. Abramian, who will succeed former Speaker Tigran Torosian, won
110 out of the 115 votes. Born in Armenias Artashat region in 1958,
Abramian is a graduate of the Yerevan Institute of National Economy. He
was the director of a cognac and wine-producing factory in Artashat and
held the posts of chairman of the city hall, mayor of the city and the
Governor of Ararat province. Abramian also held ministerial posts and
acted as the deputy prime minister. Ex-Speaker Torosian resigned from
his post on September 19. He is expected to join the opposition forces.
From: Baghdasarian