Sargsyan’s resignation: Armenia facing new election

New election of the prime minister expects Armenia, reports Verelq.am.

In accordance with the constitution, the following procedure is to be implemented: in case of prime minister’s resignation and after the government accepts it, parliamentary factions can nominate their candidates within seven days. The National Assembly elects prime minister by a majority. Ministers continue fulfilling their duties until a new cabinet is appointed.

As EADaily reported earlier, Serzh Sargsyan sent in his resignation today. He recognized he made a mistake and decided to leave the office.

Thousands of the demonstrators are celebrating Sargsyan’s resignation. People are marching to the Republic Square, where a rally of the leader of the “Velvet Revolution” Nikol Pashinyan is to be held later tonight. Pashinyan was released earlier today after talks with First Deputy Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan.

Yerevan has been ridden by mass protest actions since April 13. The protesters were 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 appointing Serzh Sargsyan to the prime minister’s post: 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.