New Armenian opposition group holds rally in Yerevan
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 10 March 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, New Armenian opposition group holds rally in Yerevan, 10 March 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5b20dd28a.html [accessed 18 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last Updated: March 10, 2018 18:17 GMT
By RFE/RL's Armenian Service
Supporters called for the creation of a provisional government and the release of political prisoners.
A newly established opposition group held its first rally in the Armenian capital on March 10.
Supporters of the Front for the State of Armenia group gathered in Liberty Square in Yerevan, where they called for the creation of a provisional government and the release of political prisoners.
The group's leaders called on opposition political parties to join hands and prevent outgoing President Serzh Sarkisian from retaining power after his second and final term expires in April.
Armenia's parliament on March 2 elected Armen Sarkisian, who has no relation to his predecessor, as the country's next president.
Following a referendum in December 2015, Armenia changed its form of government from a semipresidential to a parliamentary republic.
As a result, presidential veto powers are being stripped from the post and the presidency is being downgraded to a figurehead position elected by parliament every seven years rather than a direct popular vote.
The constitutional reforms coming into effect also limit an Armenian president to a single seven-year term.
Skeptics see the constitutional reforms as a way for outgoing President Sarkisian to maintain political control in Armenia by becoming prime minister when the mandate for his second five-year presidential term expires on April 9.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
