GUIDANCE

Armenia's Protests Aren't Over

May 1, 2018 | 22:05 GMT

In this photo, Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinian speaks before parliament on May 1, 2018, during an extraordinary session to vote on a new prime minister.

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinian speaks before parliament during its extraordinary session to vote on a new prime minister on May 1, 2018.

(KAREN MINASYAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • Protests in Armenia will continue ahead of a May 8 vote to elect a new prime minister.
  • Though the demonstrations have been peaceful so far, the risk remains that violent action from protesters or security forces will cause a dangerous escalation.
  • As Armenia's main ally and security guarantor, Russia will be watching closely to ensure the country remains stable and committed to its partnership with Moscow.

The political unrest in Armenia is far from over. On May 1, the Armenian parliament held an extraordinary session to elect a new prime minister, but the vote proved inconclusive and may have a destabilizing effect. The only person on the ballot was opposition leader Nikol Pashinian, who has been leading large-scale demonstrations in the country since April 13. With Pashinian's encouragement, Armenians have taken to the streets in large numbers to protest attempts by long-ruling former President Serzh Sargsyan to become prime minister after changing the constitution to remain in power. Sargsyan succumbed to the protests on April 23, and Pashinian was heralded as the "people's candidate" to become prime minister and oversee upcoming elections....

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