Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan presents details from HHK faction leader meeting

YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. Opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan, leader of the Yelk faction of the Armenian parliament, presented details from his meeting with Vahram Baghdasaryan, leader of the Republican Party (HHK) faction April 29.

After exiting Baghdasaryan’s office in the parliament, Pashinyan told reporters that Baghdasaryan told him that there is a predisposition within the HHK faction not to obstruct the May 1 election, ARMENPRESS correspondent reports.

“During the meeting we agreed to organize an expanded meeting with the HHK faction, and Vahram Baghdasaryan conveyed to me that there is a predisposition in their faction not to obstruct the May 1 election of the “people’s candidate” as Prime Minister,” Pashinyan said.

To a reporter’s remark that they still require six votes from the HHK to be elected, Pashinyan mentioned that if a predisposition exists not to obstruct the voting, then the HHK faction will discuss and make a decision which will not be an obstacle for the election.

Asked if the “people’s candidate” is Nikol Pashinyan, Pashinyan said he is.

Pashinyan also said that an expanded meeting with the HHK faction will take place April 29 or April 30.

On April 23, at 16:00, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan resigned as widespread protests entered the 11th day.

On the same day, as required by law, the government resigned.

First Deputy PM Karen Karapetyan was named acting PM at an emergency Cabinet meeting.

Later it was announced that Mr. Karapetyan will have a meeting with Mr. Pashinyan – leader of the opposition – on April 25. But around midnight of April 24, the government said that the meeting has been cancelled because the opposition leader unilaterally made new demands. Acting PM Karen Karapetyan addressed the President to organize a meeting in a format of his preference, with participation of a wide spectrum of political parties within and outside the parliament.

On April 25, the President announced he is starting consultations with both parliamentary and extra-parliamentary political parties.

Later in the day Serzh Sargsyan, President of the ruling party – the Republican Party of Armenia – HHK – said he has requested a meeting with members of the Republican faction of the parliament. At the meeting, Sargsyan presented the reasons of his recent resignation in detail and spoke about different formats of working in the parliament – urging to prioritize domestic stability and security of the country in everything, which in case of any decision can be implemented only through unity of Republicans.

An agreement was reached to announce that the Republican faction is ready to discuss any issue with all sides without preconditions. An agreement was also reached to start discussing in the HHK executive bodies the issue of changing the party’s president.

The Speaker of Parliament announced that elections of a new Prime Minister will be held May 1.

“In accordance to paragraph 3, article 140 of the constitutional law on the parliament’s rules of procedure, I announce that the issue of election of a Prime Minister will be debated on May 1 at 12:00, in an extraordinary session of parliament convened by virtue of law,” Speaker Ara Babloyan said.

According to the Constitution, parliamentary factions are entitled to nominate candidates for PM within 7 days after the resignation of the PM, after which the election is held through an open voting in the parliament.

The opposition Yelk faction announced that their candidate for PM is Nikol Pashinyan.

On April 28, HHK, the ruling party, said it will not nominate a candidate for Prime Minister in the upcoming election.

The Tsarukyan faction also said it will not nominate a candidate and endorsed “the people’s candidate”.

On April 29, the ARF said they endorse the candidacy of Nikol Pashinyan for the upcoming election on May 1.

English –translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan