Armenia’s chief negotiator with Turkey set to become parliamentary speaker

Armenia is set to have a new parliamentary speaker after the ruling Civil Contract party selected current Vice Speaker Ruben Rubinyan for the post in an internal vote held on Thursday.

Rubinyan, 36, will replace Alen Simonyan, who has served as speaker since 2021. His nomination is expected to be confirmed in parliament, where Civil Contract holds a majority following its victory in the June elections.

In addition to his parliamentary role, Rubinyan currently serves as Armenia’s special envoy for normalization with Turkey, leading talks with Ankara in the absence of formal diplomatic relations. It has not yet been announced whether he will continue in that role after becoming speaker.

Although the speaker’s powers are largely procedural, the role also carries significant ceremonial and public responsibilities, including frequent engagement with the media.

Simonyan, who has been a prominent and outspoken figure during his tenure, particularly for his criticism of the Kremlin, congratulated Rubinyan following the vote.

“I am certain he will honorably carry on the work we’ve started for the good of Armenia,” Simonyan wrote on Facebook.

Rubinyan, speaking to state news agency Armenpress, praised his predecessor, saying Simonyan had been “a very good parliamentary speaker” and noting that he was the first to serve a full term in the role.

It has not yet been announced what position, if any, Simonyan will take following his departure from the speakership.

In the parliamentary elections held earlier this month, Civil Contract won 49.3% of the vote, securing 64 out of 105 seats. The result gives the party the ability to elect both the prime minister and the parliamentary speaker with a simple majority.