Outgoing National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan has announced that he will not take up a parliamentary mandate in the newly elected legislature, saying he plans to step away from active politics for a period of rest after five years as speaker.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Simonyan said the decision follows consultations with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the ruling Civil Contract party’s governing board.
“I discussed it with the Prime Minister and also with the party board. I will not take the mandate and will not come to the National Assembly to continue working as an MP,” Simonyan said.
He said he accepted the party’s decision not to nominate him for another term as speaker, despite believing his work should have continued.
“I believe my work should have continued, but there is a party board, and I have always said that I will abide by its decision,” he said, adding that he harbors no resentment over the outcome.
Simonyan noted that he had served a full five-year term, describing himself as the first speaker in Armenia’s history to complete an entire term in office.
Reflecting on his tenure, he said the outgoing parliament had faced extraordinary challenges as the country’s first legislature elected after the 2020 war.
“It was a very difficult parliament. It went through numerous challenges and difficult situations, and the work my colleagues and I carried out was truly demanding,” he said.
Simonyan said he now intends to take time to rest and focus on his personal life before considering any future role.
Asked about his political future, he said no discussions had taken place regarding a new position and that there were no agreements on future responsibilities.
He also stressed that he does not envision participating in politics outside the framework of the ruling Civil Contract party or separately from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
“I do not see myself participating in any political process without Nikol Pashinyan,” Simonyan said.
