The Solution Must Be a Nationwide Outburst: Vazgen Manukyan Holds Meeting in Gyumri

Vazgen Manukyan, the Prime Minister candidate of the "Homeland Salvation Movement," held a meeting in Gyumri today. Previously, a group of residents from Shirak had closed the Yerevan-Gyumri highway to prevent opposition members from entering the city. Nevertheless, the opposition movement participants reached Gyumri, and the scheduled meeting took place.

Addressing the Moscow meeting on January 11, Manukyan stated that the Prime Minister should tackle the issue of prisoners of war. "You put the question that until the prisoner issue is resolved, I am not discussing any other matters. If they are against it, slam the door and get out. Can Nikol do such a thing? A person who is scared, defeated, humiliated, barely holding on to power… can such a person take a decisive step on the international stage? No way," said Manukyan.

He also noted that the issue of Artsakh should be brought into the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, continuing negotiations on the status and ensuring the integrity of Artsakh. Speaking about security, Manukyan stated that in the next 2-3 years, it is essential to restore the army while noting that our peace is currently protected by Russia. "We are somewhat protected by Russian peacekeepers. Russia is the only country from which we can either get weapons for free or buy them at a very low price," Manukyan remarked.

The opposition's Prime Minister candidate added that he initially expected that a million people would hit the streets to protest, but due to various circumstances, this did not happen. "I was thinking that there are a million people in Yerevan, and another million would come out on the streets because they have been violated, the country has been destroyed; how can people not come out? But people were so depressed, there was mourning in thousands of families. I know many people who are sitting at home crying, but they do not have the courage to step outside; they are so disappointed," Manukyan stated, adding that the government must be removed through a nationwide outburst. "But the solution is that there must be a real nationwide outburst that blocks everything. If the prosecutor's office does not arrest itself, he will not resign; they must step in and arrest him. We cannot leave the country in this state. This is destroying our children’s future. I live in this country with my children and grandchildren. I have dedicated my entire life to this country; why should I suffer? I will not tolerate this; even if I am alone, I will fight," Manukyan emphasized.

Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a representative of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Body and coordinator of the "Homeland Salvation Movement," also noted that the current authorities should be removed through unified efforts. "There is one option: the people must come out to the streets, organize themselves, and remove this government. There is no other option; this is the way. The fact that Nikol will leave is a fact, people; the issue is about timeframes. We say that with each day Nikol remains, our state suffers losses. The sooner we can remove him, the better, and we must do this together. It shouldn’t just be in the capital," Saghatelyan stated.