Scandal in National Assembly: Parliament Speaker switches off MPs' microphones (video)
At the start of today’s parliament sitting, Head of the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) faction Naira Zohrabyan spoke about the possible rise in electricity prices. “A bid has been submitted to the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) [by the Electric Networks of Armenia] to review the electricity tariffs in Armenia. The move is inadmissible given the grave social conditions in the country. The four opposition factions held a working meeting earlier today to discuss the rise in electricity prices. BHK’s position remains unchanged. We are calling for urgent parliamentary hearings with the participation of the Ministry of Energy and representatives of companies that are seeking rise in electricity prices to discuss the issue with them. Let them explain their reasons for the bid,” she said. NA Speaker Galust Sahakyan said in reply that as soon as the PSRC is ready, they will hold hearings on the issue. Lawmaker of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) Nikol Pashinyan said the Electric Networks of Armenia has accumulated 300 mln dollar debts. “Judging by the explanation given by the distribution network management, people who have spent great sums of money on their expensive cars (Lexuses) and lands are to pay the debt,” he said. “I assure you that the situation is catastrophic. The ENA has a debt of about one billion, and our national debt amounts to six billion. The government is in a difficult situation. Electricity was to be much cheaper in Armenia as our power stations generate 29 percent electricity. Power plants in Russia and Ukraine work with profit, and you need not compare us with them. Moreover, you need not bring [PSRC Chairman] Robert Nazaryan to the National Assembly as he cannot solve any issue. Just do not approve the new tariffs,” said Hrant Baghratyan, another HAK lawmaker. Head of the HAK faction levon Zurabyan said the possible increase in electricity tariffs was the most important issue of the agenda, therefore, they think it should be discussed in plenary session. Hardly had Mr Zurabyan uttered the words when Mr Sahakyan switched off his microphone and urged him to speak only about the agenda. Continuing his words, Zurabyan said they had initiated a collection of signatures to invite a special sitting of the National Assembly. Mr Sahakyan again switched off his microphone. He continued in the same fashion and switched off the microphones of all MPs who spoke about the increase in electricity prices. Levon Zurabyan urged Galust Sahakyan not to strain the situation with his actions, but Sahakyan would not even listen to him. Head of the Country of Law (OEK) faction Heghine Bisharyan asked for a twenty-minute break ‘to understand what was going on in the NA hall.’
