He was born on April 14, 1956 in Yerevan. In 1973-1978 he studied at the Faculty of Radio-Electronics of Yerevan Polytechnic (Engineering University) Institute, at the same time in 1976-1978 - at the faculty of Social Specialties. After graduating from the Institute he received his degree as an engineer in electronic technical engineering and technical translator (French language).

From 1978 he started to work in Yerevan Scientific Research Institute of Mathematical Machines first as an engineer, then leading engineer. In 1988-1995 he worked as head of subdivision and leading scientific associate.

In 1990 he defended his thesis and received his degree of Technical Sciences PhD. He holds patents on 10 inventions and has written more than 30 scientific works.

In 1995 he was engaged in the studies of Political Sciences. He has written a monograph (Post-Soviet Transformation of the Social System), more than two dozens of scientific and more than two hundred analytical articles, which were published in Armenian and foreign periodicals and collections. In 2006 he defended his thesis and received doctoral degree of Political Sciences.

In 1996-1998 he was a member of the RA Central Electoral Commission, in 1997-1998 editor-in-chief of the official newspaper of Hanrapetakan/Republican party Hanrapetakan.

On May 30, 1999 he was elected as a deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia from Miasnutiun/Unity Alliance electoral roll, which formed the Republican Party and Zhoghovrdakan/People’s party. In 1999-2003 he was Vice President of the RA National Assembly. In 2001-2003 he was the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on Constitutional Amendments of the National Assembly.

On May 25, 2003 he was reelected from the proportional list of the Republican Party of Armenia/RPA. And on June 12, 2003 he was elected Vice President of the National Assembly. From 2003-2006 he is Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on Matters of Integration in European Structures of the National Assembly, head of the Armenian delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

On June 1, 2006 he was elected President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.

From 2004 -2007 he is Vice Chairperson of PACE European Democrat Group, from 2006-2007 - Vice Chairperson of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee).

He is a member of RPA faction of the National Assembly.

On May 12, 2007 he was elected as a deputy of the National Assembly from the proportional list of the Republican Party of Armenia/RPA.

On June 7, 2007 he was elected President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.

From 1993 he is a member of RPA and the party board. In 1998-2005 he is a Deputy Chairman of RPA board, from 2005 – RPA Deputy Chairman.

In 2006 he was honored with the medal For Services Rendered To Fatherland of the Republic of Armenia, in 2007 –with the order Surb Mesrop Mashtots of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

He is married and has а daughter.