Armenia: Opposition leader calls for protests in Yerevan May 1 /update 11

Event

Demonstrations led by opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan continued on Saturday, April 28. Pashinyan traveled by motorcade to the city of Vanadzor, where thousands of people rallied in the area. During the event, Pashinyan called on supporters to hold a massive demonstration in the capital city of Yerevan on Tuesday, May 1, when parliament is scheduled to hold an election for the new prime minister. Protesters will likely gather in Republic Square, which has been the main rally point for opposition supporters since demonstrations started two weeks ago. 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 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.