Scuffle in Armenian Parliament as Lawmakers Trade Blows During Session
Updated on 2025-07-09T15:14:29+05:30
Scuffle in Armenian Parliament as Lawmakers Trade Blows During Session
A heated showdown broke out in Armenia’s National Assembly on Tuesday after an opposition lawmaker delivered a provocative speech demanding the removal of President Nikol Pashinyan. What started as verbal tension abruptly escalated into a physical altercation, as lawmakers from both sides traded punches in one of the most chaotic parliamentary sessions in recent memory.
The uproar began when Sargsyan, who was representing the opposition alliance "Armenia", gave a strong speech criticizing the government and accused Prime Minister Pashinian of dictatorial attitude. As soon as he started coming out of the House, the members of the ruling party stopped him, causing sudden chaos and a scuffle started between many MPs and security personnel. The punches went on, there were clashes between the officials and the entire session was disorganized, due to which the vice -president postponed the proceedings.
This shocking incident highlights the depth tension between the ruling civil contract party and the opposition. For the past several weeks, this tension had been increasing continuously, due to which there was anger in the public over allegations of regional concessions and dictatorship trends made by Pashinyan’s in Nagorno-Karabakh struggle. Following this clash, Parliament voted in favour of removing the parliamentary immunity of Sargsyan, which cleared the way for criminal action against them and possibly against other opposition leaders.
The government has also taken hard action beyond the chamber: prominent opposition leaders, including high-ranking members of the Armenian Apostolic Church, have been arrested, accused of orchestrating coup plots. Law enforcement agencies have launched raids on businesses and assets tied to conservative critics, escalating public disquiet even further.
For Armenians watching the proceedings, the parliamentary brawl symbolises a deeper, persistent fracture in their democracy a struggle between political authority and democratic dissent. Observers say such violent disruptions not only undermine the institution's credibility but also raise real concerns about Armenia’s political stability.
As the investigation into Sargsyan and alleged conspirators continues, one lawmaker’s call for presidential removal has lit a fuse turning a routine session into a dramatic microcosm of Armenia’s intensifying political battle.