Armenian PM resigns in face of protests
Serzh Sargsyan’s shock announcement followed 10 days of protests following his appointment as prime minister.
Armenian prime minister Serzh Sargsyan resigned unexpectedly, in an apparent move to end massive anti-government protests.
Residents of the capital, Yerevan, poured out on the streets to celebrate.
The surprise move, announced on Mr Sargysan’s website, followed 10 days of protests in the capital, Yerevan, against his appointment as prime minister as part of a transition to a new governmental system that reduces the powers of the presidency and bolsters those of the premier.
Critics saw the move as an attempt to stay in power by Mr Sargsyan, who served as president from 2008 until term limits forced him out in March. Armen Sarkisian, a former prime minister and ambassador to Britain, was elected in his place.
Nikol Pashinian, the protest leader, was arrested on Sunday after he met the prime minister for talks. He was released on Monday afternoon.
In an extraordinary statement, Mr Sargsyan admitted that he should not have resisted the demands of the opposition.
“Nikol Pashinian was right. I was wrong,” he said.
Opposition leaders have not yet commented on Mr Sargsyan’s resignation, but have called a rally in central Yerevan for Monday evening.
