«The Animal with a Snout has Entered Your Party and Will Not Leave»: Manukyan on Nepotism

Member of the Armenia Alliance faction, Mesrop Manukyan, addressed the National Assembly from the podium, discussing the "Code of Ethics" and the moral conduct of MPs. According to him, the code and the ethics commission are important, but their requirements must first be upheld by the MPs themselves.

Manukyan noted that he had studied the "Code of Ethics" presented by the Civil Contract party but struggles to understand why certain requirements enshrined within it, such as being honest and presenting only true information regarding public activities, are not being observed.

Referring to patronage and nepotism, Manukyan stated: "And that nepotism, that animal with a snout, has entered your party and will not leave." He explained that nepotism is a form of bias based on acquaintances and family ties.

"When an official abuses their position and powers to provide employment or services to a family member, friend, or acquaintance—regardless of whether they possess the necessary qualifications or knowledge—this is a serious issue," the MP said.

Manukyan also questioned whether the Civil Contract party abides by the principles of equality and non-discrimination. "Mr. Rubinyan, but the situation is not hopeless, because Point 5 states that your party members should be morally upright. And since you have decided that they should be of good conduct, but you completely forgot your published 'Code of Ethics' a few days later, I hope this time it will not be repeated," Manukyan concluded.