The potential attendance of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II at the inaugural session of the 9th convocation of the National Assembly, scheduled for August 2, remains in question. This is reported by Factor.
According to the constitutional law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, the President of the Republic and the Catholicos have the right to deliver opening remarks. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin reported that they have not yet received an invitation. Chief of Staff of the National Assembly Davit Arakelyan noted that the issue of the invitation has not yet been discussed, and the word "may" used in the law implies that attendance is not mandatory.
Former National Assembly official Arsen Babayan asserts that even in the absence of an invitation, the staff is obligated to ensure the spiritual leader's right to speak if he wishes to do so.
Political tension between the government and the church is not new. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has previously criticized the Catholicos and has disagreements with the clergy. Civil Contract MP Arman Yeghoyan noted that he sees no need for the Catholicos to be present at the session.
Opposition MP Anna Grigoryan believes that the authorities are violating not only the National Assembly's rules of procedure but also the principle of the separation of church and state. According to her, the failure to invite the Catholicos fits into the framework of the policy pursued by the government.
Garegin II has attended every inaugural session of parliament since 2003. An absence this time would be an unprecedented development.
