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Yeranuhi Soghoyan

New Gyumri Council Reelects Samvel Balasanyan as Mayor: 16 Members Stage Protest Boycott

Gyumri incumbent mayor Samvel Balasanyan was today reelected in a closed door vote of the new municipal council's inaugural session in which 16 of the 33 council members boycotted.

The 17 council members that did attend and reelect Balasanyan were from the Balasanyan Alliance.

As context for the story, it must be pointed out that the 16 members who didn’t show up were protesting the official weekend vote tally for the municipal council.

Those staging the walk-out were from the Prosperous Armenia (BHK), Armenian Renaissance and GALA parties. They contend that the Balasanyan bloc did not win enough votes to gain a majority of seats in the council. They say that Balasanyan’s bloc only won 15 council seats.

Nevertheless, the council, which has exclusive power to decide who will govern Armenia’s second largest city for the next four years, went ahead and reelected Balasanyan.

Upon taking the oath of office, Balasanyan said he would conscientiously work towards the development and improvement of Gyumri, defending he interests of its residents.

Addressing the inaugural session of the new municipal council, Balasanyan expressed regret that some members chose not to attend, noting that cooperation must be displayed to work for the benefit of Gyumri.

The council next session is scheduled for November 10.

Photo: Gyumri Mayor Samvel Balasanyan seated first row, left.

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