YEREVAN. – Although it is not formally announced, it is already apparent that the ruling coalition’s Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) will nominate National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Samvel Nikoyan to replace former Speaker, Hovik Abrahamyan, 168 Zham daily writes.   

It also became apparent on Monday that RPA Parliamentary Faction secretary Eduard Sharmazanov will come to replace Nikoyan as NA Deputy Speaker. But in an interview with the daily’s correspondent, Sharmazanov denied this information, adding that RPA has not yet discussed these matters and that the nominations will be examined this week.

“According to our sources, however, RPA reached this decision during last Thursday’s session of its executive body. And RPA will convene a board session this week, during which President Serzh Sargsyan will inform the board members about the reached decision,” 168 Zham writes. It also adds that first the NA Speaker’s and subsequently Deputy Speaker’s elections will be held during NA’s regular session next week. And on Monday, the NA employees were furnishing former Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan’s office and reception hall.