Armenian Opposition Leader Calls for Strike After Losing PM Vote
Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has urged his supporters to launch a campaign of civil disobedience and block key transport links including an airport after he failed in his bid to get elected as prime minister.
Yerevan, May 2 (AFP) Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has urged his supporters to launch a campaign of civil disobedience and block key transport links including an airport after he failed in his bid to get elected as prime minister.
"From 8:15 am tomorrow (Wednesday) all roads should be blocked, I announce a general strike," Pashinyan told tens of thousands of supporters gathered in the capital Yerevan's Republic Square.
"A revolution of love and tolerance is continuing," he said, also urging people to turn out for a huge rally Wednesday evening as the crowds chanted "Nikol! Nikol!".
The parliament had voted 45 in favour to 55 against Pashinyan, with the ruling Republican Party rejecting his candidacy after hours of deliberations during a day-long extraordinary session.
"The political force which declared a war against its own people has destroyed itself," Pashinyan said in parliament after the vote.
"No one will be able to take victory away from the people." The Republican Party headed by the ousted former prime minister Sezh Sarkisian withheld support for the protest leader despite tens of thousands massing in the streets and Pashinyan warning that the lawmakers' unwillingness to back him could lead to a "political tsunami."
Protesters late Tuesday pledged to ramp up pressure on the authorities to force the ruling Republican Party to quit power.
"The entire country is united in its demand that the Republicans' rule must end," said Laura Shahverdyan, a 22-year-old student.
Anait Tolmasyan, a 63-year-old pensioner, added: "We all only have one demand: the Republicans must go. Nikol is the true leader of the Armenian people." The small South Caucasus country has been in the grip of a severe political crisis for the past few weeks.
Pashinyan, who spearheaded the mass protests that led to the resignation of the veteran leader Sezh Sarkisian last month, has insisted that only he can rid the poor ex-Soviet nation of corruption and poverty and conduct free and fair elections. (AFP) CK
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