Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan says willing to meet ruling party faction, urges remaining political forces not to nominate PM candidate

Opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan says if any other candidate them himself is elected Prime Minister during the May 1 election in the parliament then protests will continue throughout the country on a 10 times bigger scale.

Pashinyan made the announcement during an April 28 rally in Vanadzor’s central square.

“HHK [ruling party] announced that it will not nominate a candidate for PM. However it will be correct that the Republican faction jointly with other factions nominates the people’s candidate as a candidate for Prime Minister. I am willing to meet with all lawmakers of the HHK. If they make their step, then they will become the co-authors of this historic achievement,” Pashinyan said, urging other political parties to not nominate their candidate.

Pashinyan says many are attempting to present as if the events are circling around individuals as to who must take office of the Prime Minister. According to Pashinyan, in reality it is about whether or not this crisis will be solved or will it continue in the future also.

Speaking about their plans for April 29, Pashinyan mentioned that they will resume mass civil disobediences across Armenia and in the capital city Yerevan from 12:00. All educational institutions declare a strike and all streets are shut down. A rally will take place 19:00 in Republic Square, Yerevan, therefore all roads will be re-opened 16:00 in order for the people to be able to reach the rally site.

The Republican Party (HHK) parliamentary faction will not nominate a candidate for Prime Minister, HHK spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov said on April 28, presenting the statement on behalf of the ruling party.