YEREVAN. – Haykakan Zhamanak daily interviewed Armenian National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, and below is an excerpt from the talk.

“The rumors about dismissing the PM [Tigran Sargsyan] became more active in recent days. There were analyses that Tigran Sargsyan will be dismissed; they are saying that you once again are attempting to become PM, but it is not working out. To what extent are these rumors true?

I understand why these rumors became more intensive; it is linked to the presidential election [on February 18], that a new government will be formed afterward. I have not changed my view which I had said: I have no intention to become PM. As for the [talk about dismissing the serving] premier, I think they are just rumors. The PM is working in normal fashion, and no [such] matter is discussed at the executive body of our [political] party [that is, the ruling Republican Party].”