An internal conflict within Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party has escalated after MP Hakob Aslanyan announced a one-month suspension of his participation in the faction. The move came in protest against the recent expulsion of his colleague, Hovik Aghazaryan, who refused to relinquish his parliamentary mandate following a request from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
“There is nothing in the materials against Aghazaryan that could be considered treason,” Aslanyan stated in an interview with Factor TV. He urged faction leader Hayk Konjoryan to establish a parliamentary group to review the situation.
Aslanyan warned that if the group fails to persuade him to change his stance, he may sever all ties with the faction. In response, party board member Arsen Torosyan indicated that the faction would address the potential expulsion of Aslanyan during today’s meeting.
The conflict began when Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan asked two MPs, Narek Zeynalyan and Vahagn Aghazaryan, to step down. While Zeynalyan complied, Aghazaryan publicly refused. Following this, Pashinyan stated he would find a way to strip Aghazaryan of his mandate, and party representatives accused the MP of leaking state and party confidential information.
