Armenian Opposition Presents Nikol Pashinyan as PM Candidate

The Civil Contract party leader of Armenia, MP Nikol Pashinyan has been named by the Yelq faction as its candidate for Prime Minister, a post that became vacant on April 23, after the PM and ex-President Serzh Sargsyan resigned amid large-scale protest rallies all over Armenia.

During an April 25 rally, Pashinyan addressed the demonstrators, saying Sargsyan’s resignation alone will not stop the protests.

“The ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has to surrender. We will not allow them to appoint a new PM,” he stated.

The opposition leader added that the police stated they will not execute acting PM Karen Karapetyan's orders.

”The police and the police chief have said they will refuse to execute Karapetyan's instructions. He is not the acting Prime Minister and they are not authorized to comply with his instructions," Pashinyan was quoted by news.am.

"I warn Karen Karapetyan not to step into the government building anymore," he added.

The opposition leader stated that the 'My Step' initiative would start protest actions at noon, on April 26.

“One more step and we will finish this story,” he said, adding that the blocking of roads and bridges is among the actions scheduled for April 26. 

Armenian media reports that at least 80 trucks are waiting for this purpose on the Yerevan-Sevan highway, ready to drive into Yerevan and block the streets.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: news.am