Will Suren Papikyan be appointed as deputy prime minister? - 'Hraparak'

‘Hraparak’ newspaper writes: “In the past, opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan would criticize Serzh Sargsyan’s practices, calling for a constitutional overhaul in line with his agenda. Now, he is engaging in similar activities himself. The government plans to transfer the oversight of regional governors from the Minister of Territorial Administration to one of the deputy prime ministers, as appointed by the Prime Minister. After this change, the institution of governors will be accountable to the deputy prime minister.

The proposal extensively outlines the functions involved and then justifies them: ‘As a result of these changes, the accountability of regional governors will be enhanced and the efficiency of their staff will improve.’ However, it is obvious that Nikol Pashinyan is implementing this change for a particular official. This indicates that the question of Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Territorial Administration, becoming the President of the National Assembly is off the table, and he will become a deputy prime minister instead. Prior to his formal appointment, he will carry over the former minister's responsibilities into the realm of the deputy prime minister’s functions. Presumably, Papikyan has already established a rapport with the governors, which is why the law is being changed so that another official won’t have to start afresh,” the newspaper reports.