YEREVAN. – President Armen Sarkissian had telephonic conversations with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and National Assembly (NA) President Ara Babloyan, and he discussed the current situation in Armenia.  

Sarkissian, who is in the US on a working visit, closely follows the events unrolling in Armenia, the public relations department of the presidential staff informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

President Sarkissian will reflect on the parliament-passed bill on making amendments to the NA Rules of Procedure upon his return to capital city Yerevan, and he will launch respective consultations with the government and NA leadership.

The president urges to be restrained and tolerant towards each other, and he is convinced that the present-day situation in Armenia should be resolved within the framework of the constitution and laws, and by way of negotiations and discourse.

As reported earlier, the NA on Tuesday passed the controversial bill on making amendments to the NA Rules of Procedure. But as per Prime Minister Pashinyan and the NA “Way Out” (Yelk) Faction, this proposed law will enable to prevent the holding of a snap parliamentary election, once the PM resigns from office.

The former ruling Republican Party of Armenia, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party, and the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP)-supported “Tsarukyan” factions in parliament have voted for this bill.

Subsequently, and upon the call by the PM, thousands of people blocked the NA building, from Tuesday night to early Wednesday morning. As a result, the deputies were “stranded” in the parliament building over night.