YEREVAN. – Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Campaign Headquarters Chief and former National Assembly (NA) Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan did not attend Monday’s Republic Day celebration held at the Sardarapat Memorial, Hraparak daily writes.

“It became apparent that numerous RPA members were not invited to the event. The invitation was made by Armenia’s Government.      

The RPA members were joking that the Government is still hopeful that [President] Serzh Sargsyan will change his mind by May 30 [Wednesday] and will not nominate Abrahamyan as NA Speaker.    

Incidentally, this time the RPA Executive Committee session will be held on Wednesday instead of Thursday, because the newly-elect Parliament’s activities will commence on Thursday,” Hraparak writes.