Nikol Pashinyan willing to discuss timing of snap elections with other political forces

YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, head of the parliamentary Yelk faction, says he believes that snap elections should take place within two months after the May 1 election of a Prime Minister. However, Pashinyan expressed readiness to discuss the issue with other political forces and organize the elections later.

Speaking to reporters in the parliament, Pashinyan emphasized that they have their ideas over the timing of the snap parliamentary elections, however they are willing to discuss the proposals of other political forces.

“We have our ideas, however different forces of the political arena are voicing concerns that if we want to ensure equal conditions for all, then we must do it the way for the political arena to get prepared for that event. We believe that the elections can be done within two months, however we find this topic to be discussable, that it can be done a bit later, however within the limits of logic, in order for the political arena to be more ready for it,” Pashinyan said.

Asked whether or not the snap elections are possible to be held within a year, Pashinyan said: “We believe that one year is a very long time, however the issue is discussable. All arguments must be weighed.”

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