Armenia: Opposition leader calls for general strike on May 2 /update 13

Event

On Tuesday, May 1, during a rally at Yerevan's at Republic Square, opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan called for a nationwide general strike to take place starting at 08:15 (local time) on Wednesday, May 2. Earlier on Tuesday, Pashinyan failed to win his bid to become the country's next prime minister, with Parliament voting against the opposition leader 55 to 45. Pashinyan also called for peaceful protests to take place nationwide and for supporters to continue acts of civil disobedience.

A heightened security presence and associated traffic disruptions are to be expected around demonstration sites in cities throughout Armenia. Transportation, commercial, and public service disruptions are also possible nationwide, particularly in Yerevan.

Context

Anti-government demonstrations have been taking place daily in Yerevan since April 13, eventually leading to the April 23 resignation of former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan. Hundreds of protesters have been detained by police. Sociopolitical tensions have been high in the country since December 2015, when a controversial constitutional amendment changed Armenia's government from a semi-presidential system to a parliamentary republic. Under the new government, the president has a largely ceremonial role while the prime minister has become more powerful. Opponents claimed that the new system was designed to allow then-President Sargsyan to maintain control of the government following the end of his term in April. Opposition leaders have called for a "Velvet Revolution" in a bid to "preserve" democracy in the country.

Advice

Individuals present in Armenia, particularly in Yerevan, are advised to keep abreast of the sociopolitical climate and avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence.