Armenia’s ruling coalition party boycotts parliamentary session: Naira Zohrabyan`s statement.

The representatives of the Prosperous Armenia party (PAP) have declared the intention to boycott the Armenian parliament’s sessions.

It comes after Naira Zohrabyan of the PAP faction in parliament complained at the Tuesday sitting that Speaker Samvel Nikoyan deprived her of her scheduled speech yesterday, with several members of the ruling Republican Party faction being against the PAP's position on the draft Law on Restricting Cash Transactions.

Zohrabyan said that the PAP lawmakers had previously told the parliament that they considered the bill untimely.

“We all understand that the bill has nothing to do with anti-corruption efforts. It aims only to ensure extra profits for the banks at the expense of the citizens of Armenia,” she told the parliament .

“Prosperous Armenia has been and will be against any measure seeking to extort extra sums from a citizen. And taking into consideration the non-constructive atmosphere I declare that the PAP faction will not take part in the parliament’s work today.”

Zohrabyan then switched off the microphone and left the session hall. It was followed by Republican Party faction leader Galust Sahakyan’s decision to take a 20-minute leave. Talking to reporters later, he explained that the National Assembly lacked a quorum to debate any issue. Zohrabyan said in turn that the PAP will boycott the sitting throughout the day.

Asked about the possible consequences of such move, she said, “We are responsible for our political decisions and to our voters.”
Zohrabyan said she didn’t understand why the parliament decided to debate the bill now. She expressed concern that its adoption would lead to a sharp increase in bank client’s number, becoming an extra tool of money extortion.

After the 20-minute break the National Assembly resumed its session; none of PAP faction members returned to the session hall.