| Author (Person) | Negrier-Pascaud, Mathilde |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cardiff EDC |
| Series Details | April 2018 |
| Publication Date | 17/04/2018 |
| Content Type | News |
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On 16 April, thousands of Armenians went to protest in the city's capital. This came after the Armenian ruling Republican Party's nomination of former president Serzh Sargysan for the position of prime minister on April 14. Sargyzan served the maximum two terms as president and his attempt to become prime minister is seen by Armenians as an equivalent to a third term as president. Indeed since the constitution was amended in 2015, presidency has become ceremonial with the country switching from a presidential to a parliamentary system of government. Demonstrations are being led by opposition Member of Parliament Nikol Pashinian. While most protests have been peaceful, protestors and policed briefly clashed during the afternoon with police allegedly using stun grenades to appease the situation. As a result 40 protestors and 6 policemen were taken to the hospital. Furthermore, according to the Armenian Times, four protestors blocking a road were arrested and released a few hours later without a charge. Other protestors blocking a street were assaulted and at least one of them was taken to the hospital. On April 17, Sargsyan was approved as PM by the country’s parliament. On April 23, Sargsyan resigned as Prime Minister after 10 days of protests in the country. On April 30, Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan was formally nominated for the post of prime minister by his supporters, inching closer to victory after two weeks of mass protests that have transformed the country’s political landscape. On May 1, Pashinyan announced a nationwide campaign of civil disobedience after the ruling party thwarted his bid to take over as prime minister. The Republican Party ended up providing Pashinian with the support he needed to become premier, citing the need for stability. On May 8, Pashinyan was appointed as Prime Minister by 59 votes to 42 and has promised snap elections as soon as the conditions are right for a legitimate vote to take place. |
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| Countries / Regions | Armenia |
