An extraordinary incident occurred in the National Assembly of Armenia on October 29, 2026, as a legislative session ended in a mass brawl among deputies. The conflict erupted right on the session floor during a speech by Taron Chakhoyan, a representative of the ruling Civil Contract party, who made sharp remarks directed at the opposition forces. A verbal altercation quickly escalated into physical confrontation, requiring the intervention of security personnel.
Causes and instigators of the parliamentary conflict
The scuffle began against the backdrop of political discussions when ruling party deputy Taron Chakhoyan brought up the election campaign of the opposition party Strong Armenia. His statements contained harsh assessments that instantly outraged the opposition benches. Narek Karapetyan, head of the Strong Armenia opposition faction, was particularly active, engaging in an open verbal dispute with the speaker, which was followed by a direct clash between lawmakers.
Intervention of security and aftermath of the incident
The escalation of tension on the session floor forced the parliament leadership to take emergency measures. Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan announced a 40-minute break in the work of the legislative body, after which the official broadcast was cut off. According to video footage from local TV channels, security guards promptly entered the hall and formed two rows between the opposing sides to separate the deputies and normalize the situation.
Situation in the legislative body and reaction
According to media reports, in the heat of the scuffle, one of the lawmakers was knocked down, and harsh episodes of confrontation were recorded in the corridors and the hall itself, including reports that Deputy Speaker Vahagn Aleksanyan allegedly threw a chair toward opposition deputy Garnik Davtyan. Following security intervention, the situation in the parliament corridors stabilized, and deputies dispersed to their offices, yet the incident once again demonstrated the high temperature of political struggle in the country.
Significance and potential political consequences
Such incidents underline the deep split between the ruling Civil Contract party and opposition associations amid ongoing political and geopolitical discussions in Armenia. Regular clashes within the walls of the National Assembly reflect a fierce struggle ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. This development of parliamentary culture threatens the stability of the highest legislative body and demands that the country's leadership seek mechanisms to reduce tensions.
