A scuffle broke out today in the Armenian National Assembly where PM Nikol Pashinyan presented his government’s five-year program for the country.

It was the first face-to-face meeting between the newly elected parliament and government officials.

The fracas began when MP Anna Mkrtchyan, representing the opposition “With Honor” faction asked why Pashinyan arrived at the chamber with so many security officers. The MP described them as Pashinyan’s “bodyguards”.

MPs from Pashinyan’s ruling “Civil Contract” faction rose and voiced their indignation over Mkrtchyan’s remarks, to which she responded, “The capitulators should remain silent.”

Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan instructed that Mkrtchyan’s microphone be turned off, but the MP continued to shout from her seat.

Simonyan then called in security staffers to have her removed. Mkrtchyan resisted.

Simonyan announced a twenty-minute break in the proceedings.

Opposition and government MPs started jostling one another and fisticuffs ensued.

Mkrtchyan and “Armenia” faction MP Artsvik Minasyan were injured in the fight and security staffers forcibly removed reporters from their designated room overlooking the chamber.