Lift the restrictions on Vardan Ghukasian, stop the pursuit, let’s put down the mandates and go for new elections: Arakelyan.
15-09-2026 17:44 Armenia Politics
armtimes.com The Gyumri council, returning from vacation, began its meeting as usual, but the discussion of several issues turned into arguments, verbal disputes, and mutual accusations.
The agenda also included the issue of the "Gyumri Day" celebration, for which the culture department of the municipality has the necessary funding and project.
However, according to the recently established tradition, there is a plan to hold this celebration with the cooperation of Ruben Mkhitaryan, the leader of the "My Powerful Community" faction, and Vardan Ghukasyan's son-in-law, currently acting mayor Avetis Arakelyan, using the benefactor's funds. The identity of the benefactor was not disclosed.
Shavarsh Aramyan, the leader of the "Civil Contract" faction in the Gyumri council, said it would be better to increase the budget and celebrate "Gyumri Day" independently, using municipal funds, rather than asking for money from benefactors.
"It’s like someone not being able to celebrate a family member's birthday and asking neighbors or relatives for money to do so. In my opinion, asking for money from a neighbor or someone else is not a matter of pride, but rather a cause for sadness," Aramyan said.
Avetis Arakelyan disagreed, saying that the one providing the money is not someone else.
"What will be done through charity will be heartfelt; when an elder brother wants to celebrate his younger brother's birthday in a more luxurious way, opposing that is not very acceptable, let him do it, and we will save the money," Arakelyan said.
The leader of the CP faction emphasized that the elder brother of Gyumri is the Republic of Armenia, to which Avetis Arakelyan retorted, "The elder brother of Artsakh was also the Republic of Armenia."
CP faction member Emma Barseghyan asked whether under the current leadership, Gyumri would reach a point where it would not depend on benefactors, nor appeal to sisters, brothers, godfathers, or relatives. In response to the question, Arakelyan said he would not answer it.
"The 'Civil Contract' faction keeps saying there is a governance crisis in Gyumri; this thesis should not be promoted and everything should not be viewed through that lens. It will not work," he assured.
Moreover, Arakelyan suggested laying down mandates in exchange for Vardan Ghukasyan's freedom and going for new elections. Shavarsh Aramyan clarified whether Avetis Arakelyan's statement should be taken as official.
"I said, lift all restrictions on Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, open all possibilities, do not pursue, do not exert governmental pressure, let’s lay down the mandates, go for elections, and see what happens then," Arakelyan declared for the second time.
Shavarsh Aramyan reminded that the issue is within the jurisdiction of law enforcement and is not for the council to discuss.
* This text was automatically translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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