ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
May 12, 2006 Friday
Armenian speaker resigns
by Tigran Liloyan
Armenian parliamentary Speaker Artur Bagdasaryan has declared he will
resign from his post.
Bagdasaryan has been Speaker of the Armenian parliament since June
12, 2003. The 38-year-old Chairman of the National Assembly announced
his decision at a press conference in Yerevan on Friday. “Staying on
in this post is unacceptable,” the Speaker said. “Our political
team has unanimously decided to quit the ruling coalition, and we
shall resign from all the posts, including the ministerial posts,”
Bagdasaryan said.
In accordance with the parliamentary rules of procedure, Bagdasaryan
is to submit his resignation in a written form at the next regular
meeting of the parliament due on May 22. Then, the speaker is to
confirm his resignation within five days’ time.
Many deputies suggested holding a confidence vote with subsequent
resignation as a result of the vote, but Bagdasaryan objected.
Bagdasaryan heads the Centre-Right Coalition “Orinats Yerkir”
translated from the Armenian as the Country of Law. The resolution
made by this coalition actually means the disintegration of the
ruling pro-presidential coalition that exists in Armenia since 2003.
Nonetheless, observers believe that Bagdasaryan will not abandon the
political arena, but will seek to become leader of the opposition and
even run for presidency.