Armenian parliament approves new government's program

The National Assembly on Thursday gave its approval to the program submitted by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's cabinet.

The document was adopted with 62 votes “for” and 39 votes “against”.

In his speech after the voting, Speaker Ara Babloyan offered his congratulations to the premier.

Pashinyan’s parliamentary bloc YELK (Way Out),  as well as the ARF-D (Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun) and Tsarukuyan Alliance had earlier expressed their support to the program. The lawmakers of the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) said they would secure the necessary number of votes despite being opposed to several keynote provisions.

The program, submitted by the new cabinet (formed after the “velvet revolution”), contains seven provisions outlining the key guidelines for the government's activity. These include arrangements for snap parliamentary elections, internal and external security, fight against corruption, guarantees for ensuring citizens’ free and dignified life, continued growth of economy, and Armenia-Diaspora relations.