“Why do you turn parliament into rag?”
Armenia's National Assembly (NA) voted on Wednesday against the bill on switching to a 100-percent proportional system. 30 MPs voted for, and 56 against the bill co-authored by opposition Heritage and ARF Dashnaktsutyun.
Before the vote, Heritage party MP Larissa Alaverdyan called on her colleagues to vote for the initiative, saying it will ensure stability in the country.
Speaking about the bill "on legal regime of the emergency situation," Heritage MP Stepan Safaryan said it resembled a one-man show.
Republican MP Rafik Petrosyan made an unprecedented speech, condemning the bill.
"We are responsible for the generations to come. It is true that Serzh Sargsyan is doing everything possible to neutralize clashes and intolerance within different strata of society, however, Sargsyan's successor may have dictatorial ambitions and may use force against people," said the Republican MP.
Petrosyan says army should not be engaged in politics. "Let the army protect our borders. Why do you drive a wedge between people and army? Why do you want to turn the National Assembly into a rag by adopting such bills?"
"By bringing the bill to parliament the authorities are preparing for the elections," Heritage MP Zaruhi Postanjyan said advising the government to have the bill amended anew.
Discussions are continuing.
