Protests continue in Armenia – opposition likely to be elected

By Inessa S On Apr 29, 2018

A thousands-strong column of protesters are protesting in Yerevan, Armenia. It is expected that the opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan will join them. The protesters beat drums and play instruments, carry national flags. Motorists support the protesters with honks.

According to the participants of the march, they intend to walk along the central streets and at 19:00 (18:00 Moscow time) to start a rally on the Republic Square. A small number of policemen are also moving with the column.

Protest actions have been held in Armenia since April 13. The opposition opposed the election of former President Serzh Sargsyan to the post of prime minister, accusing him of ineffective management and deterioration of the economic situation. Despite this, on April 17 the parliament still elected Sargsyan as the head of the government, while the opposition announced the beginning of a “velvet revolution”. Less than a week later, on April 23, Sargsyan resigned.

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The Armenian parliament will re-elect a new prime minister on May 1. This position is tentatively claimed by Pashinyan, who remained the only candidate, since all other factions refused to nominate their candidates. To be elected, he must get 53 out of 105 votes of parliamentarians.