A violent clash between government and opposition MPs in Armenia's National Assembly descended into a mass brawl on Thursday, October 29, triggered by a proposal to create a national 'Ministry of Sex'. The chaotic scene was broadcast live, with chairs, water bottles and punches thrown across the chamber.
The incident began during an address by Taron Chakhoyan, an MP from the ruling Civil Contract party, who criticised the opposition Strong Armenia bloc over its campaign pledge to establish a dedicated ministry to ensure 'no unsatisfied women' remain in the country. The opposition had earlier claimed that widespread sexual dissatisfaction was driving middle-aged women into anti-government activism.
Violence erupts in the chamber
Mr Chakhoyan accused the opposition of being 'steeped in corruption' and branded Strong Armenia leader Narek Karapetyan a 'mess from head to toe'. Opposition MPs surged toward the podium, and verbal insults quickly turned into a full-scale physical confrontation, with lawmakers trading punches and kicks as cameras rolled.
Vahagn Aleksanyan, parliament's deputy speaker and a Civil Contract member, was seen hurling a heavy chair toward opposition benches. Mr Chakhoyan splashed water over opposition MP Garnik Davtyan, while other lawmakers overturned tables and pelted rivals with plastic bottles.
Speaker refuses to cut live feed
Parliament Speaker Ruben Rubinyan initially refused to interrupt the live broadcast, saying the public should witness the lawmakers' conduct firsthand. As the violence escalated, a recess was called, but the fighting spilled into corridors outside the main chamber.
Security personnel and non-combatant MPs attempted to form a human wall to separate the factions, though clashes continued as obscene language echoed through the halls. Paramedics were called to the building, and an ambulance arrived to treat multiple casualties.
Leaders respond to the brawl
Andranik Gevorgyan, an MP from Strong Armenia, was seen bleeding heavily from the nose, while fellow opposition MP Ruben Mkhitaryan had his clothes shredded in the melee. Neither side showed remorse following the altercation.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan later backed his party members, stating: 'I condemn violence, but I support the measures taken by the Civil Contract faction today, because being in the opposition does not mean that one should become insolent. Whether with a chair or something else, it is proportionate and right.' He later mocked the opposition online, joking that despite their party name, the lawmakers were not 'physically strong'.
Mr Chakhoyan added: 'It won't work to provoke a fight and escape from the National Assembly session hall without getting beaten.' Unrepentant, Strong Armenia leader Narek Karapetyan defended the brawl as a 'normal Armenian-style man-to-man fight,' adding: 'People who had been getting on our nerves for months got it right in the mouth – and got it good'.
The prosecutor general's office confirmed there was currently no information regarding criminal charges arising from the incident.
