Media: Struggle for parliament speaker's chair underway in 'Civil Contract'

In the ruling "Civil Contract" party, the struggle for key posts in the future parliament has already begun, writes the newspaper "Graparak."

According to the publication, although the new parliament has not yet been formed, the distribution of leadership positions is being actively discussed within the party. It is noted that candidates occupying the first 30–35 places on the party list are practically guaranteed to receive parliamentary mandates.

Particular attention, the newspaper claims, is focused on the post of speaker of the National Assembly.

"In 'Civil Contract,' the current head of the faction, Hayk Konjoryan, is considered the most suitable candidate for this post, while part of the party believes the incumbent speaker should leave the position. Vice Speaker Ruben Rubinyan is also vying for the post; however, the party views him as too confrontational and not always capable of building constructive communication," the publication writes.

At the same time, the candidacy of former Armenian ambassador to the United States Lilit Makunts has not been definitively removed from consideration, although the likelihood of her appointment is assessed as low.

Earlier, Armenian media reported that Makunts was viewed as one of the main contenders for the post of parliament speaker.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia were held on June 7. Sixteen parties and two blocs took part.

The ruling "Civil Contract" party of Nikol Pashinyan, according to preliminary data from the Central Election Commission, is receiving 49.825% of the vote. The opposition bloc of businessman Samvel Karapetyan, "Strong Armenia," is receiving 23.281%, while the bloc of former president Robert Kocharyan, "Armenia," is at 9.934%. The party of businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, "Prosperous Armenia," according to preliminary CEC data, is receiving 3.99% — just 0.01% below the threshold (the party is not entering parliament for now, but it has requested a vote recount from the CEC). Turnout was 58.94%.