Update 3 at 18.00 GMT
Nikol Pashinyan, the leader of the mass popular movement that has swept Armenia over the last weeks, joined thousands of supporters in the centre of the country's capital Yerevan, immediately after his candidature for prime minister was voted down by the Armenian parliament, which is dominated by the current ruling party, the Republican Party.
Pashinyan told thousands of cheering supporters that packed the large square and adjoining streets, that the Republican Party had declared an open confrontation with the people, and called for a general strike to start tomorrow, Monday, 2 May at 8.15 am. Pashinyan called on his supporters to close all roads, railways and airports.
Pashinyan however insisted that protests must remain completely peaceful.
Update 2 at 17.00 GMT
The Armenian Parliament failed to elect Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister after a long session during which the ruling Republican Parliament declared it will not support his candidature which was supported by all the other factions in the parliament. The vote was 56 against and 45 in favour with one abstension. The vote dissapointed thousands of people who had filled Yerevan's main square since the morning.
The situation increases the deadlock in the current political situation, and street protests are now likely to continue.
Update 1 at 11.00 GMT
Nikol Pahsiyev has been formally nominated for the post of Armenian Prime Minister at a special session of the country's parliament. Pashinyan laid down the main policy directions he proposes to follow. Pashinyan said he was against a system that gave absolute power to the prime minister, and said that the time when one person held all the power in Armenia was over.
Pashinyan gave a long exposition on the country's future foreign policy
He said many are surprised that the new government declares that it will not make major changes in the foreign policy course. "In case of my election to the post of prime minister, Armenia will continue to be a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and CSTO. This position does not come from the taste or changed position of the individual, but from the logic of the popular movement that won in the country.
Pashinyan said that as a result of this movement, the people of Armenia came to power, demanding numerous changes in the internal life of the country. This did not require and does not require changes in the foreign policy course. We as obedient servants of the people are obliged to reckon with this reality.
We considered and consider Russia a strategic ally of Armenia, and this nation-wide movement does not create any threats to the Armenian-Russian cooperation. We attach special importance to Armenia-Georgia and Armenia-Iran relations, and there is no doubt that this movement will give a new impetus to our relations with our neighbors. We will strengthen relations with the EU and the EU member states. We will do our best to liberalize the visa regime with the EU. We look forward to the beginning of negotiations on this issue in the very near future. The speedy ratification and application of the Armenia-EU comprehensive and expanded partnership is based on our relations.
Friendly relations with the United States need a new impetus, and we intend to give new impetus to the development of mutually beneficial Armenian-American cooperation in various fields. We will continue to deepen relations with China, and we consider this to be one of the most important directions of foreign policy, "
At the same time, he stressed that they attach great importance to the holding of the Francophonie summit in the fall and all measures will be taken for its proper conduct.
At the same time, the deputy stressed the commitment to international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire, because he believes that only by recognizing this fact can new crimes against humanity be prevented. The oppositionist stressed that Armenia will continue its efforts to prevent further crimes against humanity.
Speaking about the Karabakh conflict, Pashinyan said that for them stereotypes in this matter are not important. "We are committed exclusively to a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, based on the right of self-determination and equality of peoples. We need to give a new impetus to the international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh. This should become one of the most important areas of the Diaspora's activities, "the opposition leader said.
At the same time, he stated that the most important part of the Armenian demand for this movement is justice and freedom, and their government intends to fully implement both of these requirements.
The session of the National Assembly continues
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The Armenian Parliament is meeting this morning in an effort to elect a new prime minister, after street protests last week resulted in the resignation of Serzh Sargsyan from the post.
The only candidate is Nikol Pashinyan, the leader of the protest movement, and a member of parliament from the Yelk Group. Pashinyan is the only candidate that has been formally proposed, and also has the support of two other parliamentary factions, Prosperous Armenia and Armenia Revolutionary Federation. But the majority in the parliament is in the hands of the Republican Party, and whilst initially they indicated they will not hinder the election of Pashinyan, overnight reports suggest they may resort to filibustering tactics to prevent it happening.
Thousands of Pashinyan supporters have filled Yerevan's main square in a festive mood, but the next hours will be decisive both for Pashinyan's prospects, and for Armenia in general.
(This story will be updated throughout the day)
source: commonspace.eu
photo: Nikol Pashinyan (archive picture)
