Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan said he believed that deputies who did not participate in the work of the National Assembly should not, in principle, receive a salary. However, the opposition colleagues still receive salaries. His remakrs came in a talk with journalists on Friday.

Thus, the MPs from the ruling party Civil Contract received their next bonuses the other day. At the same time, opposition MPs, their assistants and staff did not receive any bonuses.

"As for the assistants, most of them are also absent, and therefore they should not receive salaries either... The prize you mentioned was paid on the occasion of the Independence Day of Armenia - September 21. It is awarded every year. So it is my responsibility. I have made this decision," said Simonyan.