The Parliament of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic

The National Assembly is the highest legislative and representative body of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The NKR Law "on the NKR National Assembly" regulates its authority.

The National Assembly is a unicameral legislature, which carries out its work in full sessions and through standing and ad-hoc committees. The Standing Committees prepare and discuss bills, acts and issues which fall under the authority of the National Assembly and oversee their implementation. The President enacts all laws adopted by the National Assembly.

Members of Parliament are elected from 33 voting districts to five-year terms. To date, four parliamentary elections have been held: in December 1991, April 1995, July 2000 and June 2005. All have been monitored by independent international observers.

The President of Nagorno Karabakh, the Presidium of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the National Assembly or one third of the Assembly members may summon extraordinary sessions. The Presidium consists of the Assembly's Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Heads of its six Standing Committees.

The Chairman of the National Assembly (NKR Parliament) is elected by the simple majority in a secret vote. On January 8, 1992, Arthur Mkrtichian was elected the first Chairman of the NKR Parliament (then called Supreme Council). After his tragic death in April 1992, Deputy Chairman Georgi Petrosian became the acting Chairman. On June 14, 1993, Petrosian was succeeded by Karen Baburian who maintained the chairmanship also after the 1995 Parliamentary Elections. In March 1996, Arthur Tovmasian was elected Chairman of the NKR National Assembly. On December 2, 1997, Chairman Tovmasian resigns and the majority elects Oleg Yessayan as Chairman (Speaker) of the NKR National Assembly. Yessayan gets re-elected to the post following the 2000 Parliamentary Elections. After 2005 Parliamentary Elections, Ashot Ghulian is elected the Speaker of NKR National Assembly.

Currently, two political parties and one alliance are represented in the National Assembly. They are: Artsakh Democratic Party (18 members), “Free Motherland” Party (8 members) and ARF Dashnaktsutyun - Movement 88 alliance (3 members).

The Structure of the National Assembly:

Leadership:

Chairman of the National Assembly - Ashot Ghulian, Artsakh Democratic Party
Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly - Rudik Hyusnunts, Free Motherland Party

Standing Committees:

1. Defense, Security, and Public Order
   Chairman Rudik Martirossian, Artsakh Democratic Party
2. Finance, Budget and Economic Management Affairs
   Chairman Arayik Harutyunian, Free Motherland
3. Foreign Affairs
   Chairman Vahram Atanesian, Artsakh Democratic Party
4. Production and Production Infrastructure
   Chairman Benik Bakhshiyan, Artsakh Democratic Party
5. Social Welfare Affairs
   Chairman Arpat Avanessian, Free Motherland
6. State and Legal Affairs
   Chairman Yuri Hairapetian, Artsakh Democratic Party

All members of the 4th National Assembly

Under the proportional lists, the “Democratic Party of Artsakh” received 37.6% of votes, which translated into 5 members of the newly elected National Assembly, the “Free Motherland” Party received 26.7% (3 members) and the ARF “Dashnaktsutyun”-“Movement-88” alliance received 24.4%, (3 members).

For additional information, please contact the NKR National Assembly
at parlpress@ktsurf.net

1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036, phone: (202) 223-4330 e-mail: info@nkrusa.org

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