During an extraordinary session of the National Assembly, the Republican leadership in the parliament passed a resolution that altered the procedural rules for convening parliamentary sessions. The resolution, which passed with 67 votes in favor, aims to prevent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan from resorting to the power of public protests to impose on the sitting parliament to allow for special parliamentary elections. Per the 2015 constitutional changes, special elections are automatically scheduled if the sitting prime minister resigns and the parliament does not elect a new prime minister after holding two votes in two consecutive sessions. Today’s resolution redefined ‘session’ to indicate that if parliamentarians are blocked from entering the National Assembly by citizens or protesters, then the session that was not allowed to convene is considered still open, as long as it takes. In other words, Prime Minister Pashinyan’s reliance on the power of the ‘street’ to impose special elections was rendered meaningless.
Aside from the Republican faction, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun and Prosperous Armenia (BHK) factions also backed the resolution. The YELK faction (which is Prime Minister Pashinyan’s support base) opposed the measure. The session had been conducted behind closed doors, unlike regular sessions. The session was not broadcast on news networks and journalists were not allowed in. Following the initial news, heeding the call of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, tens of thousands gathered near the gates of the National Assembly in anticipation of any updates on the situation.
Prime Minister Pashinyan was among the crowd accompanied by members of his government.
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1:00 AM
Pashinyan just walked out of the room where he was negotiating with Ara Babloyan, Speaker of the Parliament. “It was a cordial, friendly atmosphere. We drank coffee, and talked. The conversation was not conclusive,” the PM said.
Pashinyan tells CivilNet reporter that December remains target for parliamentary elections.
Public chants call for the removal of the National Assembly Speaker.
PASHINYAN addresses the crowd outside Armenia’s National Assembly following his closed-door meeting:
“This is a new, completely new, phase. In your chants, your posts, your expressions, refrain from personal insults aimed at any political figures, from any party. We want to change the reality, the past is irreversible. Do you see how large your numbers are. So, if a member of parliament, the one you like least, asks to pass through, you must say yes, and kindly allow passage.
I said I would resign, and the parliament or the political forces would have the chance to elect or not elect a new prime minister. But they must be aware of what they’re doing in the context of the public mood. That would not be a very wise scenario. It would elicit negative responses from the public.
So I proposed that we sign an agreement whereby I agree to resign on a certain day, a prime minister is not elected on either the first or second round, as a result, in December, we’ll have special elections.
The political forces in Parliament will have to present their own interpretations of this discussion to you. The outcome seems to be that they appear to have understood the people’s message and position and they orally agreed — all three parties — that they are not preparing to propose a candidate for prime minister in either the first or second round.
I’m sharing the conversation and my impressions. If I’m wrong in my understanding, they will, in their interviews, present their take.
They asked why is it that these elections are urgent — is it the economy, is it Karabakh, what is it? I responded saying that there is a political crisis in the country which must be resolved without losing time. The core of the crisis is that there is a parliament in this country that does not represent the citizens.
Therefore, the only way to resolve this crisis, the only way, i repeat, the only way, is to hold special collections.
When should those elections be held? Our position is that they must take place during the first half of December.
Why not wait until May to hold these elections? Two reasons: There is a political crisis and delaying the elections until May means let’s just extend the crisis, no rush. The other reason is that as prime minister, I sense that everyone’s call, regardless of the topic of conversation, regardless of who and where, everyone’s call is for special elections.
There’s a reason why this must happen in December, not November or October. It’s just not possible because the Constitution requires: 14 days for Parliament to hold two votes without electing a prime minister; plus 30 days before elections can be held.
I am responsible to several heads of state to inform them of what is going on here.
Today we demonstrated that special elections in Armenia is a civic and national demand.
Those who act counter to that demand will have declared war against their own people. I believe that message reached the political forces.
There is no final written or oral agreement. They’ve simply said that under these circumstances, no one is prepared to offer a candidate for prime minister.
In the meanwhile, we will convene the International Francophonie Summit here, I will attend the Charles Aznavour funeral ceremony to bid him farewell.
I have spoken with President Armen Sarkissian who naturally will not take any steps against the people’s wish. He too will participate in Charles Aznavour’s farewell ceremonies. I am sure he will want to meet with the representatives of the political forces.
I will not wait for a written confirmation or agreement by the political forces. From the moment I submit my resignation, future processes will be in your hands. If the citizens of Armenia allow the political forces to elect a prime minister, they will. If you do not allow it, they will not. The authority is not mine. The authority is yours. You will decide what will happen.”
Pashinyan calls on audience to applaud the police, the national security services, all state defense services, all armed forces, and reminds them that the streets are theirs and they don’t need to hold overnight vigils.
Pashinyan calls on the audience to applaud Aznavour’s memory, to join him in the drum roll conclusion, and then to join him in a stroll around the city.
12:00 AM
Pashinyan continues to negotiate with National Assembly Speaker Ara Babloyan (Member of the Republican Party), behind closed doors. Meanwhile, thousands waiting outside, holding posters demanding the Republican and Prosperous Armenia parties to resign.
Pashinyan just announced that according to his sources close to ten thousand people are on Baghramyan Avenue and thousands more are on their way. Pashinyan expressed that the eventual crowd will be even larger. The crowd follows Prime Minister’s statements with the coordinated Icelandic clap which became symbolic during the revolutionary days of April that led up to Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation and election of Nikol Pashinyan by the National Assembly as the new prime minister.
Pashinyan continues to negotiatie with National Assembly Speaker Ara Babloyan (Member of the Republican Party), behind closed doors.
The crowd has gathered around the National Assembly. Pashinyan cautioned everyone to abstain from any violence, and cautioned against any mob action.
10:30 PM
Pashinyan has begun to walk towards the Parliament, where, as he said, he will negotiate with the other political forces on holding special elections.
PRIME MINISTER NIKOL PASHINYAN:
“As prime minister I have the right to enter parliament 24/7. Now, I will go up Demirchyan Street, and during that time, nothing else will happen. Nothing and no one will be touched. I will go there to negotiate with the parliamentarians and representatives of the political forces, on resolving this political impassed, and we will do so with love and in a spirit of harmony.
During those elections, if you elect our party, then we will be elected. So, now what are we going to do : We are going to do that which we left undone on April 16, 2018.
If it becomes clear that the people defend the idea of special elections, then we, the people will be able to prevent the Parliament from electing a new prime minister. But after the resignation, I will continue to carry out the responsibilities of the prime minister, that’s what the constitution provides.
During that time, on the 8th day, the Parliament must choose a new Prime Minister; if they do not, then 8 days later, they must go through that process again. If they do elect a new prime minister, then they did so. If they do NOT elect a new prime minister, then there will be special elections.
This is the plan to reach special elections: When the decision to remove the ministers and marzbeds becomes law, I will resign. There is a nuance here. First, in order for no one to think that I am clinging to this position, or that anyone from our team is clinging to position. I call on President Armen Sarkissian to NOT sign the election decision by parliament.”
10:00 PM
PRIME MINISTER NIKOL PASHINYAN:
“There is also a decision to remove the regional governors (Marzbeds) who are members of the parties who voted for the new regulation on special electiosn.
According to regulations, the president must confirm this order within a specificed time; if he does not, then I will release them on my own.”
Pashinyan read the names of the ministers who have been removed from their positions.
YEREVAN MAYOR HAYK MARUTYAN:
“I greet you Dear Yerevantsis, and Dear Armenian citizens. Because in this short time, the people gathered here are from all over Armenia.
Now, we will have elections at the end of October, beginning of November. During the Yerevan Mayoral elections, I asked that those who are in favor of early special elections should vote for the MY STEP alliance. That alliance gathered 80% of the vote. That means the electiosn should be held without delay.
It clearly states within one year. And we’ve always said that could be in September, October, or May. But that depends on the domestic situation.
Why do we need special elections: First, this parliament does not represent the Armenian people and does not have the right to represent it. Second reason for special elections: Because this parliament has been rejected by the ARmenian people. The Armenian people require people a democratic parliament elected by the people’s vote. Third reason: Because the Velvet Revolution in May demanded this, that was one of the conditions of the Revolution. And that condition was recorded within the Government’s Program which the Parliament voted in favor.
Given the position adopted by the tree political parties, i have taken a decision to release from their positions the members of those parties who hold ministerial portfolios.”
9:00 PM
Pashinyan calls for protest participants to maintain a dignified presence and allow those who want to leave to do so, or to come back. He repeated the call for peace and harmony.
Protesters surround and close all entrances to the National Assembly, hindering the deputies from exiting the building. Pashinyan cautioned everyone to abstain from any violence, and cautioned against any mob action.
“By passing this resolution, the Republican Party and their allies have openly declared a counter-revolution. I think we all see that they won’t achieve this. The Republican Party and the forces that support it must be uprooted,” says Pashinyan
Thousands gather in front of Armenia’s National Assembly in protest to the parliament’s extraordinary session and the law it passed regarding snap parliamentary elections.
“The National Assembly again and again continues to prove its lack of legitimacy,” says Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Avinyan.
8:00 PM
Armenia’s National Assembly convenes an extraordinary session to push forward a resolution aimed at altering the procedural rules regarding snap parliamentary elections in the event of prime minister’s resignation. The resolution is passed, receiving 67 votes in its favor.
Prime Minister Pashinyan comes to Baghramyan Ave, near the National Assembly.
6:00 PM
Pashinyan says that there are counter-revolutionary forces in Armenia. For this reason, snap parliamentary elections must be held in December.
