Pashinyan’s election as PM is best solution for current situation, says ARF official

Armen Rustamyan, head of the ARF faction of the Armenian parliament, finds Nikol Pashinyan’s election as Prime Minister to be the most appropriate solution for overcoming the difficult domestic political situation in Armenia.

Speaking to reporters in parliamentary press briefings, Rustamyan said he thinks it isn’t in the interests of HHK, the ruling party, to block the election second time.

“If a Prime Minister isn’t elected May 8 also, early elections will take place, and I don’t think that this is in the interests of Republicans. If they [block] it [election] the second time, then with what resources are they going to participate in the snap elections? Even the ranked voting system won’t help them. I believe that if they announce one thing and do a completely other thing the second time also, this will be dangerous for the political force,” Rustamyan said.

In his words, a clear “people’s demand” exists, a demand which must be realized.

Rustamyan says he believes that the ruling party will also adopt the governmental program which Pashinyan must submit for approval within 20 days after being elected and forming a Cabinet. Otherwise, Rustamyan says, they will once again pass the same process.

“In this case we must once again elect a Prime Minister, and if a Prime Minister isn’t elected then early elections are called. I don’t think there is a need to pass this all again, while early elections aren’t beneficial for HHK in that case also,” Rustamyan said.