Alen Simonyan takes leave, will not return to next parliament

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan will take his annual leave from July 13 through August 2, the final day of the current parliament's term, and will not return to serve in the newly elected legislature.

According to an order signed by Simonyan on July 10, Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan will serve as acting speaker during his absence.

The current, eighth convocation of Armenia's National Assembly will remain in office through August 2, with the first sitting of the newly elected parliament scheduled for August 3.

Simonyan has also said he will not take up a parliament seat in the new legislature.

The Civil Contract party has picked Rubinyan as its nominee for new parliament speaker.