The 7th convocation of Armenia’s National Assembly will hold its first session on January 14, 2019. Composed of 132 members representing three political parties, this is the first parliament elected following a sweeping popular movement in the spring of 2018 that came to be known as the Velvet Revolution, ultimately ending the reign of Serzh Sargsyan and the Republican Party of Armenia.
Snap parliamentary elections took place on December 9, 2019 with 11 political parties and alliances of parties taking part.
In a sweeping victory, the My Step Alliance led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan got 70.42 percent of the vote and secured 88 seats; the Prosperous Armenia Party led by tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan received 8.26 percent and got 26 seats and the Bright Armenia Party led by Edmon Marukyan received 6.37 percent of the vote, securing 18 seats in parliament. The remaining political forces were not able to cross the threshold to get into parliament.
Although voter turnout was low (48.63 percent), these were the first ever snap parliamentary elections held and one of only two uncontested national elections in the country since independence.
During an official ceremony on January 10, all 132 members of Armenia’s National Assembly received their mandates handed to them by voters from across the country.
Here are some interesting facts about Armenia’s new parliament:
Speaker of Parliament
Ararat Mirzoyan – Speaker of Parliament with 131 votes in favor of his candidacy (My Step).
Vice Speakers
Lena Nazaryan (My Step)
Alen Simonyan (My Step)
Vahe Enfiajyan (Prosperous Armenia).