The People Will Grab the Neck of Those Making Political Careers Based on Ghazagirs and Throw Them Out of This Hall: Prime Minister to Urikhanyan

I want to sadly note that there are still people who treat officials of the fourth rank from third countries as leaders, while speaking with irony about a government formed by the vote of the people’s trust or its individual members. This was stated today, June 17, from the podium of the National Assembly by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, alluding to Deputy Tigran Urikhanyan, who had made ironic remarks regarding the Minister of Defense.

“We are talking about such people whose political careers, as recently revealed, are based on a reality that is widely referred to in popular circles as a ghazagir. I also want to say that now it becomes clear that these people are accustomed to showing respect only when disrespecting them can pose a specific physical threat to them. This is unacceptable, and I am convinced that the Armenian people will grab the necks of all these individuals and forces engaged in political activities based on this ghazagir and will throw them out of this hall altogether—I have no doubt about that,” said Pashinyan.

It should be reminded that during the government Q&A session, Urikhanyan sharply responded to Badasyan's speech: “Was it a correct decision to bring the Minister of Justice to answer? What the state should have done regarding the soldier who preserved the country, land, homeland, and human life was not done; what is being discussed? Give that person his money. Secondly, regarding the top ten of the ministers, the Minister of Defense, dear Mr. Prime Minister, haven’t you realized that he has taken you and me to court? It’s the first time I have seen such a thing.”

Pashinyan, visibly displeased by this formulation, intervened from his seat, stating that someone speaking about defense in that manner is a top zero deputy. “What kind of way is that to speak?”