Media: Lilit Makunts refuses position of speaker of Armenian parliament

Former Armenian ambassador to the U.S. Lilit Makunts has refused the position of speaker of the Armenian parliament, writes the newspaper "Graparak."

The publication notes that several months ago in "Civil Contract" it was said that Pashinyan was preparing Makunts for the position of speaker or head of the faction. However, for a number of reasons Makunts refused this position.

The reaction of members of "Civil Contract" played a role in particular. The deputies were unhappy that after so many years of working in parliament and being subjected to criticism, the post of speaker would be taken by Makunts who had arrived from the U.S.

She herself also realized that she would not be able to behave like Vahagn Aleksanyan, Artur Hovannisyan or Ruben Rubinyan and asked to be left in the government — even if not in a high position (she is currently the prime minister's chief adviser).

On the other hand, the party is not enthusiastic about the candidacy of Arusyak Manavazyan, whom the Council of the "Civil Contract" approved as a candidate for the post of head of the faction.

"In particular, the party is surprised that Manavazyan, who has an incomplete higher education and does not stand out in any way, has such ambitions.

The ruling "Civil Contract" at a board meeting approved the candidacy of Arusyak Manavazyan for the post of head of the parliamentary faction the day before. Ruben Rubinyan has been nominated for the post of speaker, the publication writes.