This is the shocking moment a vicious clash between the government and the opposition in Armenia’s parliament descended into a mass brawl over a bizarre proposal to create a national “Ministry of Sex” — with the chaotic violence broadcast live to the nation. Chairs, water bottles and flying punches turned Armenia’s National Assembly into a battlefield on Thursday (October 29), marking the third time in just one month that the notoriously combustible chamber has erupted into physical violence. The chaotic incident kicked off during an address by Taron Chakhoyan, an MP from the ruling Civil Contract party. Mr Chakhoyan took aim at the opposition Strong Armenia bloc, demanding an unreserved apology to women for their controversial campaign pledge to establish a dedicated government ministry to ensure “no unsatisfied women” remain in the country.
The opposition party had previously claimed that widespread sexual dissatisfaction was driving middle-aged women into anti-government political activism. During Thursday’s debate, Mr Chakhoyan accused the opposition of being “steeped in corruption” and branded Strong Armenia leader Narek Karapetyan a “mess from head to toe”.
Furious opposition politicians surged from their benches and charged the podium where Mr Chakhoyan was speaking. Within seconds, verbal insults deteriorated 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.
Parliament Speaker Ruben Rubinyan initially refused to cut the live feed, declaring he would not interrupt the broadcast so the public could witness the lawmakers’ conduct firsthand. As the violence spiralled out of control, a recess was called, but the fighting spilled into the corridors outside the main chamber.
Security personnel and non-combatant MPs attempted to form a human wall to separate the warring factions, though they were unable to halt the clashes as obscene language echoed through the halls. Paramedics were scrambled to the parliament building as an ambulance arrived to treat multiple casualties.
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 at a press conference, 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.” Mr Pashinyan 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.
