YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Tuesday, April 9, during the extraordinary session of the National Assembly of Armenia held at the Karen Demirjian Sport and Concert Complex, the newly elected President Serge Sargisian assumed the office of President of Armenia for his second term. This was the sixth inauguration ceremony of independent Armenia. While the official winner of the February 18 ballot was swearing-in in the presence of high-ranking officials and diplomatic missions, at Liberty Square the official runner-up, leader of oppositional Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian also took an oath in front of his supporters.
With a special procedural order early this morning the state flag, presidential coat of arms, the original draft of the Constitution and a 7th century Holy Bible were taken to the Sport and Concert Complex.
With his right hand on the Gospel that belonged to the Catholicos’ Mother, Sargisian took his oath in accordance with the respective Constitutional provision: “Assuming the office of President of the Republic of Armenia, I swear to unreservedly fulfill requirements of the Constitution to respect human and civil rights and freedoms, to safeguard independence of the Republic, its territorial integrity and security for the glory of the Republic of Armenia and for the benefit of the people of the Republic of Armenia.”
In his inauguration statement Sargisian thanked citizens of Armenia for high turnout in the presidential elections, as well as those who entrusted him once again the task of serving as the president of the Republic of Armenia; he also thanked those who cast their votes for other candidates.