Armenian ruling party MP vows tough line against opposition

A senior lawmaker from Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party warned on Wednesday that the opposition will face a "harsh reality"  in parliament following the June 7 elections, which the Central Election Commission has certified as free and transparent.

Speaking to reporters in the National Assembly, MP Artur Hovhannisyan dismissed allegations of irregularities, saying there were “no grounds” to challenge the results. He accused opposition groups of entering politics “without substance” and relying on financial resources to gain influence.

“Figures with no real vision enter politics by spending money, and we see them trying to steal mandates from the people,” Hovhannisyan said. He called for tougher legislation to prevent such forces from participating in elections, noting that upcoming local contests would serve as a test for new rules.

Hovhannisyan pledged that the ruling party would confront the opposition directly in parliament. “What the previous opposition faced will pale in comparison to what awaits the new one,” he said. “They will be held accountable for every false claim they make.”