On March 2, Armenian Parliament elected Karen Andreasyan as Armenian Ombudsman, with a vote 83 to 13.

Heritage faction did not participate in the vote. ARF-Dashnaktsutyun voted against Andreasyan. Karen Andreasyan thanked the parliamentarians who had voted against his candidacy saying that he would try to gain their confidence with his work.

"I swear to be loyal to the Armenian Constitution and laws and to protect fundamental freedoms and rights of Armenian citizens. I swear to perform my duties honestly and conscientiously," the new Ombudsman announced from the NA rostrum.

Prior to the voting Dashnaktsutyun leader Vahan Hovhanisyan said the faction would vote against Karen Andreasyan and characterized the nomination process as wrong.

"We oppose the procedure of nomination of the Ombudsman rather than the candidate himself. The parliamentary opposition did not have the right to nominate an alternative candidate. Moreover, the opposition was unaware how and why the coalition's choice fell on Andreasyan," said Hovhannisyan.

"Your work will prove successful if you leave both the opposition and authorities displeased with you," said Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) MP Naira Zohrabyan.

Source: www.a1plus.am