Gyumri mayor's son-in-law declines parliament seat

Avetis Arakelyan, Gyumri’s first deputy mayor and acting mayor, has formally renounced his seat in Armenia’s National Assembly, choosing instead to remain in local government.

Arakelyan, who is also the son-in-law of detained Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, was elected as part of the Strong Armenia bloc, which secured 29 seats in the June 7 parliamentary elections. The new legislature is scheduled to convene in August.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Arakelyan said the decision followed consultations with Ghukasyan and faction leader Narek Karapetyan, but was ultimately his own. “The priority is Gyumri and the interests of its residents,” Armenpress quoted him as saying.

Arakelyan explained that assuming a parliamentary role could have destabilized the city. “I found that if I took the mandate, the city could collapse, which was unacceptable both for me and my political team,” he noted, rejecting speculation of backstage deals with the authorities.

He stressed that his focus remains on Gyumri’s governance rather than personal political advancement. “For me, it’s not about the position or the chair, but about the city and its citizens,” he said.

Earlier, Arakelyan also dismissed claims that Ghukasyan’s release into house arrest was the result of secret agreements, insisting that “there can be no talk of backstage arrangements.”