Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that his Civil Contract party will hold a closed vote to determine who will serve as Speaker in the next parliament.

Axar.az reports, citing Armenpress, that speaking at a press briefing, Pashinyan was asked about media reports claiming that the ruling party is considering incumbent Speaker Alen Simonyan, Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan, and majority leader Hayk Konjoryan.

Pashinyan said that the Civil Contract party will hold a meeting today, where a decision will be made and one of the nominated candidates will be selected through a closed secret ballot, after which the decision will be made public.

“Our plan is that at today’s meeting we will hear the candidates, ask questions, exchange views, and make a decision. I will cast my vote in a closed format, like my fellow colleagues,” Pashinyan said.