Armenian Prime Minister Sargsyan resigns, opposition supporters celebrate
A chronology of today’s events
19:30
The large-scale protests in Armenia have been successful: Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan has resigned, saying: “Nikol Pashinyan was right, I was not.”
Pashinyan’s supporters are celebrating across the capital, while another rally has begun on Republic Square in Yerevan.
The ‘violet’ revolution has succeeded. What next?
After the resignation of Serzh Sargsyan, it was announced that Karen Karapetyan has been made acting head of state. The constitution of Armenia calls for parliamentary parties to present their candidates for the post of head of the state – the prime minister, within seven days. The prime minister will be elected via parliamentary majority. Government officials continue to carry out their responsibilities.
Social media users:
“You know what you can buy now in stores in Yerevan? An Armenian flag.”
“Armenia was never so happy. My heart is exploding from happiness and pride!”
“Everyone, the violet revolution has worked in Armenia! And how ready we were!”
“Champagne stock in super-markets are running out!”
“If Serzh had known that people would be so happy, he would have left earlier.”
16:15
Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan has resigned.
He said that the oppositionist Nikol Pashinyan was right, and he (the Prime Minister) was wrong.
“There are several ways to resolve the situation, but I am not taking any of them. This is not for me. I’m leaving the post of Prime Minister. The protest movement on the street is against my leadership, so I will do as you wish. (I wish) Peace, harmony and logic to our country.”
15:20
It has just become known that the opposition parliamentarians demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation were released. The protesters cheered them on with flowers and bottles of champagne. The leader of the opposition movement Nikol Pashinyan has confirmed that he had met with first Deputy Prime Minister, Karen Karapetyan.
The details regarding the conversation will be disclosed during the traditional evening rally on the main square of Yerevan.
15:00
The location of Nikol Pashinyan has been identified. Before this, even members of his family were unaware of his whereabouts. The opposition says that Pashinyan and two other MPs were illegally detained, given that they have privileges of immunity.
However, the Ministry of Justice David Harutyunyan said that an MP with immunity may be arrested at a crime scene. He also said that protest organizers were informed that their actions were illegal, and that should they continue it would be breaking the law.
13:10
First Deputy Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan appealed to the Prosecutor General to withdraw the petition to have Pashinyan’s immunity removed, after which he went to meet Pashinyan himself in order to resolve the situation. Karapetyan said that it was important for the Armenian nation to stand together on the national day of mourning on 24 April, which commemorates the Armenian genocide of 1915. The procession was also joined by doctors in white coats and servicemen in military uniform from the peacekeeping brigade of the Ministry of Defense.
