Armenia crisis: Opposition leader Pashinyan faces PM vote

[muriel_volestrangler]

Armenia's parliament is set to decide whether to back opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as the new prime minister, in a watershed moment for the country.

Mr Pashinyan, who has led weeks of anti-government protests that forced former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan to resign, is the only candidate.
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Mr Sargsyan, who had served 10 years as president, stepped down on 23 April just days after being sworn in as PM. He had been accused of trying to cling to power.

All 47 opposition members of parliament have pledged to vote for Mr Pashinyan, but he will need votes from some Republican Party deputies to win the majority he needs in the 105-seat house. The Republican Party has dominated Armenian politics since 1999.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43958196

Why Armenia 'Velvet Revolution' won without a bullet fired

When Nikol Pashinyan, 42, set off on his "My Step" protest march on 31 March from Armenia's second city Gyumri, sporting his trademark khaki T-shirt, only a couple of dozen people joined him, and they were mainly journalists.

By the time the MP and ex-journalist had reached the capital Yerevan on 13 April, thousands more had joined his movement.
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How Armenia's revolution unfolded
13 April - Thousands take to streets of Yerevan as Nikol Pashinyan's 14-day protest march arrives

17 April - As daily protests continue Serzh Sargsyan is elected Armenian prime minister by parliament, eight days after his two-term presidency ended

22 April - Nikol Pashinyan detained after talks collapse with Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan

23 April - Nikol Pashinyan released and Serzh Sargsyan resigns, admitting "I got it wrong"; soldiers join protests

27 April - The man appointed acting PM, Karen Karapetyan, rejects new talks

29 April - Ruling party says it will not pick a candidate to challenge opposition leader

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43948181

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Now: Armenia crisis: Opposition leader Pashinyan fails in bid to be PM

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has failed in his bid to become interim prime minister.

After a day of debate in parliament, he failed to garner enough votes despite being the only candidate for the post.

After the vote, he urged tens of thousands of supporters gathered in the capital Yerevan to begin a campaign of civil disobedience.

He called for a general strike to be launched on Wednesday morning, with roads, railways and airports blocked.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43958196