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YEREVAN. – Non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Party National Assembly (PAP NA) Faction Secretary Naira Zohrabyan will replace Gagik Tsarukyan as PAP Chairman, Faction member Mikayel Melkumyan told reporters on Wednesday.

In his words, Tsarukyan will announce about quitting his aforesaid capacity during Thursday’s party congress, during which the new PAP leader will be elected.

“We have discussed the matter, and there is no other candidate except for Naira Zohrabyan; I believe Zohrabyan’s candidacy will definitely be supported,” Melkumyan stated. “After the congress, the [party] political board meeting will be held, where the matter of the deputy chief of the party will be decided.”

As reported earlier, speaking at the February 12 meeting of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Board, President Serzh Sargsyan, who is also chairman of the RPA Board, had stated that PAP Chairman, MP and oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan had become a vice for the country as a political player. He also relieved the PAP leader from his status as a National Security Council (NSC) member, and promised that a process will begin in connection with Tsarukyan’s frequent absence from the parliament sessions.

In response to President Sargsyan’s remarks, Gagik Tsarukyan issued a statement, on February 13, that the incumbent authorities must be removed from power immediately. Reflecting on Sargsyan having him removed from the NSC, the PAP leader noted that he had not left this council earlier solely because of the President’s personal request. As for the plans to strip him of his parliamentary mandate, Tsarukyan said the important thing for him is the trust of the Armenian citizens, and therefore he possesses the most important mandate. In addition, the Prosperous Armenia Party chairman urged to achieve Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation, but by way of lawful political methods.

On February 17, however, Serzh Sargsyan and Gagik Tsarukyan held a brokered talk, and on the next day, the PAP leader issued a milder statement. He also called off the rally that was slated for February 20. And on February 23, Naira Zohrabyan had announced that their faction will be boycotting the four-day session of the National Assembly.

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