YEREVAN. – Pursuant to Armenia’s new Electoral Code, not counting the first place in the proportional election list of the country’s political parties, every other fifth spot must be given to women, 168 Zham daily writes.  

“That is, the first woman will have to be in sixth place. According to our information, a fierce battle has waged among the women’s circle in [the ruling coalition’s Republican Party of Armenia] RPA for that very sixth place. [And MP] Hermine Naghdalyan—who is the chair of RPA Women’s Council—, MP Karine Achemyan, and Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan are vying for that [spot]. In response to our reporter’s question as to who the Party’s first woman will be, [National Assembly] NA Deputy Speaker and RPA Spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov said: ‘The Party has not yet discussed the proportional [election] list, also including matters connected with it,’” 168 Zham writes.