Tensions escalated in the National Assembly. Speaker Ruben Rubinyan, who had initially refused to call a recess and urged lawmakers either to stop the confrontation and resume proceedings or continue while he waited, was eventually forced to suspend the session after the dispute turned into a fistfight, Factor.am reports.
During a speech in parliament, Taron Chakhoyan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract party, insulted opposition lawmakers, calling Mesrop Manukyan of the Hayastan (Armenia) faction an “assistant to Manvel, who stole canned meat.” He then turned his remarks toward Narek Karapetyan, leader of the Strong Armenia faction, saying it was not his fault that Karapetyan’s entire family was involved in politics, Sputnik Armenia reports.
“Mr. Karapetyan, I am not responsible for your entire extended family being involved in politics, including your uncle, your father… Your cousin was also very active in politics and was even preparing to establish a ministry in our country, a ministry that, according to his own description, was supposed to satisfy all women. And to this day, he has not apologized to women for that,” Chakhoyan said.
Narek Karapetyan responded from his seat, prompting Chakhoyan to shout, “You’re the lout, from head to toe!” Opposition lawmakers then moved forward, and pushing and shoving escalated into a fistfight.
“I am deliberately not calling a recess so that everyone can see this. The session will continue like this. Let everyone see what is happening,” National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan declared.
Tensions in parliament did not subside, and the confrontation escalated into punches and kicks. One lawmaker from the ruling Civil Contract party fell to the floor, after which a recess was announced.
Following the brawl, parliamentary security personnel removed only lawmakers from the Strong Armenia faction from the chamber.
The tensions that erupted in parliament persisted even after security personnel intervened, with physical confrontations between lawmakers continuing outside the chamber, Radar.am reports.
