Armenia: Parliament to elect new prime minister May 1 /update 9

Event

On Thursday, April 26, the speaker of the Armenian Parliament announced that members of parliament (MPs) would vote to elect a new prime minister at noon (local time) on Tuesday, May 1. They will be choosing a successor to replace former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, who resigned on April 23 following a wave of anti-government protests. Nonetheless, the protests are continuing as of Thursday, April 26, in the capital Yerevan. Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has called for daily rallies to continue until the entire government resigns. Thousands of protesters are expected to gather throughout the day at Republic Square, where they have been protesting for 14 consecutive days. A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are to be expected around demonstration sites.

Context

Anti-government demonstrations have been taking place daily in Yerevan since April 13, eventually leading to Sargsyan's resignation. Hundreds of protesters have been detained by police.

Sociopolitical tensions have been high in the country since December 2015, when a controversial constitutional amendment was passed that 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 becomes more powerful. Opponents claimed that the new system was designed to allow Sargsyan (first elected president in April 2008) 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 avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence, monitor developments to the situation, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.