Opposition Leader Calls for Continued Street Protests in Armenia

The leader of the Armenian opposition, despite recent clashes between riot police and protesters that left dozens injured, has once again called for a protest in the streets. According to a Radio Farda correspondent in Yerevan, coinciding with the election of the Prime Minister in the Armenian parliament, the opposition, led by Nikol Pashinyan, on Tuesday, April 17, surrounded government buildings. This protest was held after the ruling party of Armenia, which holds the majority of parliamentary seats, nominated former President Serge Sargsyan for the position of Prime Minister despite the end of his second presidential term last week. The opposition has stated that the new parliamentary government system allows the 63-year-old Sargsyan to remain in power. Armenia's government system has recently changed from presidential to parliamentary, transferring powers from the president to the prime minister. In a call to action, Nikol Pashinyan urged the people of Yerevan and other cities in Armenia to come out today (Tuesday, April 17), block main roads, and strike. He described the previous day's protests in Yerevan as a 'turning point' in Armenia's history. During the protests on Monday, police used tools such as stun grenades to prevent protesters from advancing towards the parliament building by breaking through a barbed wire barrier in the city center. Dozens of opposition members, including the opposition leader and several police forces, were injured in these protests. Official sources reported 46 injuries, including six police officers. Reports indicate that Nikol Pashinyan, who was injured in the face and arm, went to the hospital. Officials had asked him to announce the end of the protests, or else they would resort to force against the demonstrators, but after leaving the hospital with a bandaged arm, he announced the continuation of protests. According to reports from AFP, more police equipped with riot gear, such as water cannons, have been deployed in downtown Yerevan today. The ruling Republican Party, along with its allied party 'Dashnaktsutyun', which has officially nominated Sargsyan for the Prime Minister position, is set to hold a vote in parliament today. Hundreds of opponents of Sargsyan's rise to power for a third time have reportedly displayed their opposition by lying down on sidewalks and blocking roads leading to the Armenian parliament.