I Am Ready to Resign as Prime Minister. Pashinyan Invites Political Forces to Consultations on Holding Snap Parliamentary Elections in 2021

It is now clear that the opposition's demand for the prime minister's resignation did not receive public support, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page.

“The opposition has had all the opportunities to generate popular support for its demands. It has enormous financial, informational, and organizational resources, and has had ample possibilities to organize rallies and protests. Yet, it has not only failed to secure popular support for its demands, but the number of its supporters has dwindled to a minimum, and the process in the public square has come to a halt. No one can say that we have held onto power by brute force. On the contrary, we are being accused of unwarranted leniency,” he stated.

“However, none of this changes the commitment of my political team and myself to stand before the people and be accountable. I am not clinging to the prime minister's chair, but I cannot treat the power entrusted to me by the people, the position of prime minister, lightly. The fate of this position and the further political leadership of the country should be determined by the people, through a free expression of their will, and I consider myself the guarantor of that free expression as Prime Minister of Armenia.”

Pashinyan added, “I am also ready to resign from the position of prime minister based on the people's decision. I can only leave this role if determined by the people’s choice. Additionally, if the trust of the people is restored, I am ready to continue leading the Republic of Armenia through these challenging times.”

“The answer to all these questions can only be found in one way - holding snap parliamentary elections. Thus, I invite parliamentary and interested extra-parliamentary forces to consultations regarding holding snap parliamentary elections in 2021,” the Prime Minister announced.