The opening session of the National Assembly’s 5^th convocation took place today in Yerevan.

Also in attendance were President Sargsyan and Catholicos Garegin II. Notably absent were the newly elected MP’s from HAK (Armenian National Congress) and the Heritage Party.

Gagik Tsaroukyan, head of the BHK (Prosperous Armenia) also did not show up.

In his talk, President Sargsyan welcomed the entrance of HAK to the parliament and called on MP’s to maintain strong ties to the electorate.

The session was chaired by the eldest MP, Republican Party member Mkrtich Minasyan.

There were problems when some MPs, unfamiliar with how to register their presence, couldn’t work the buttons at their seats.

“If your buttons aren’t working, please raise your finger,” Minasyan requested.