Armenian parliament approves new oath for lawmakers

The Armenian National Assembly has approved a new oath of office for members of parliament, paving the way for incoming lawmakers to be sworn in under revised wording that the ruling Civil Contract party says better reflects the country's statehood and national values.

The amendments to the National Assembly's Rules of Procedure were approved during an extraordinary parliamentary session with the backing of the Civil Contract faction on Friday. The proposal was introduced by outgoing National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan and Civil Contract MPs Arusyak Julhakyan and Hasmik Hakobyan.

The revised oath will be administered to members of the next parliament when they assume office.

Ahead of the vote, Simonyan described the changes as "historic" and said the new text is more closely aligned with "today's reality, today's state, our legislation, and the values that are important to the Armenian people."

Under the new wording, lawmakers pledge to faithfully carry out their duties as representatives of the people, uphold Armenia's Constitution and laws, strengthen the country's statehood, safeguard its national interests, promote civic solidarity, and work to ensure the security, well-being, and rights and freedoms of the country's citizens.

The oath opens with a pledge made "in the name of the perpetuity, independence, sovereignty and strengthening of the Republic of Armenia" and concludes with the words: "Glory to the martyrs, and long live the Republic of Armenia."