Protests demanding the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have entered a second day, following a large demonstration over the weekend.
After a massive rally on Sunday and an overnight vigil in the rain, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Armenia’s parliament in Yerevan on Monday.
The protests are in response to a recent decision to hand over four border villages to Azerbaijan, resolving a long-standing territorial dispute between the two countries. The territory, seized by Armenia in the 1990s, was returned last week.
Leading the protests against Pashinyan is Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, who has called for renewed dialogue with Russia, as Armenia’s relations with Moscow have cooled under Pashinyan’s leadership.
Streets and squares
Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, with Azerbaijan regaining control last year from Armenian separatists who held the enclave for thirty years.
Many view the return of the territory as a betrayal, while Pashinyan defends it as a necessary step to prevent further conflict.
Galstanyan announced a four-day rally to oust the prime minister, stating, “For four days, we will remain in the streets and squares, and with our determination, we will achieve victory.”
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Almaty, Kazakhstan, February 2, 2024 [Dmitry Astakhov/Sputnik via Reuters]
Thousands gathered outside government buildings on Sunday before marching to parliament.
If the impeachment vote proceeds, an interim government would take over, and early elections would be held.
Despite the opposition’s efforts, it is unlikely to succeed as they lack the necessary seats in parliament.
Nevertheless, Galstanyan has taken a temporary step…
Source from www.aljazeera.com