Armenian prime minister resigns

Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan has declared his is going to resign. As EADaily’s correspondent reports, under pressure of mass protest actions, he said that “recognized his mistake” and leaves the office.

“Dear compatriots, I am addressing you for the last time as the head of the state. Nikol Pashinyan was right. I am mistaken. In this situation, there are several options, but I will not choose any of them. I will resign from the post of the country’s leader, the prime minister. The street movement was against me. I will fulfill your claim. I wish this country peace, harmony and logic,” his statement runs.

As EADaily reported, the leader of the Armenian protest movement, MP Nikol Pashinyan was released earlier today as a result of his talks with Armenian First Deputy Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan.

“The logic of our activities has not changed. Tonight, there will be a rally at the Republic Square. Until then, I need to get familiar with the current situation. After that I will make a decision,” Pashinyan told reporters.

Before that, Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, President Armen Sargsyan, First Deputy Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, and President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan had a meeting at the residence of the Armenian president. After the meeting, Karen Karapetyan announced that he would address the Armenian Prosecutor General and asked him to withdraw the appeal on arrest of MPs Nikol Pashinyan, Ararat Mirzoyan, and Sasun Mikaelyan.

Pashinyan, Mirzoyan, and Mikaelyan were detained at an opposition rally were detained on April 22. They were accused of organizing illegal mass gatherings.

Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and the leader of the protest movement Nikol Pashinyan had talks on April 22, but failed to come to agreement. After that, the authorities started dispersing the rally. During the clashes, Pashinyan, Mirzoyan, and Mikaelyan were taken to police. Later, the Prosecutor General’s Office reported they were detained.

Yerevan has been ridden by mass protest actions since April 13. The protesters speak against former president Serzh Sargsyan becoming prime minister. At a rally on April 17, the leader of the protest movement Nikol Pashinyan declared start of a “Velvet Revolution” in the republic. On the same day, the Armenian parliament voted for Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister: 77 MPs voted for it, 17 MPs were against.

After a constitutional reform was approved by a referendum in 2015, Armenia switched from the presidential to parliamentary republic. Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan was supposed to have all power levers concentrated in his hands. Armen Sargsyan elected as president on April 2 was to have only representative functions.