Aghazaryan says Marukyan most acceptable PM candidate

PanARMENIAN.Net - Former ruling party member Hovik Aghazaryan says he will not support the opposition’s PM candidate David Hambardzumyan, backing Edmon Marukyan instead.

Despite having a favorable view of David Hambardzumyan, the prime ministerial candidate nominated by the "I Have Honor" parliamentary faction, former "Civil Contract" MP and MASK party founder Hovik Aghazaryan stated he will not vote for him.

“We have our position, and there have been no developments that would lead us to change it,” Aghazaryan told reporters, according to Aysor.am .

Alongside Civil Contract ex-MP Hakob Aslanyan, Aghazaryan aims to replace incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and form what they claim will be the most legitimate government in Armenia’s modern history by 2026.

“In this context, we believe Edmon Marukyan’s candidacy is the most suitable and acceptable choice for Civil Contract, the Armenia Alliance, I Have Honor, and many extra-parliamentary forces,” said Aghazaryan.

He argued that it is more realistic for Civil Contract MPs to align with the Aghazaryan-Aslanyan-Marukyan trio than to back Hambardzumyan.

He added that he has spoken with ruling party members who expressed support for Marukyan, though he declined to name them.

On June 7, the I Have Honor faction unanimously nominated Masis community head David Hambardzumyan for prime minister.

Meanwhile, former Civil Contract MPs Hovik Aghazaryan and Hakob Aslanyan have nominated Edmon Marukyan, chairman of the Bright Armenia party. However, the I Have Honor faction has declared it will not participate in the Marukyan nomination process.