Who Will Take Over the Presidency? A Search for the President

The position of the President of the Republic will not be filled sooner than 25 days and no later than 35 days after it becomes vacant, leading to a snap presidential election between February 17-27. The President is elected by the parliament. Only one-quarter of the total number of deputies, which is 27 individuals, have the right to nominate a candidate, meaning both the 71-member ruling party and the opposition can put forward their candidates.

This is reported by the newspaper "Hraparak." Even before the resignation news spread, discussions began on who would be nominated. Team members began circulating names such as Edmon Marukyan, the president of the LHK, Aram Zaveni Sargsyan, and Levon Ter-Petrossian. However, in the ruling party, these candidacies are considered unlikely. It is believed that an insider candidate will be elected, who will serve as an acting president until constitutional changes are made. Names being discussed include former Minister of Education and Science and advisor to the Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

It is also possible that there could be an altogether different choice. In the opposition camp, discussions are underway regarding a unified candidate. However, they exclude the candidacies of former presidents Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, and even Vazgen Manukyan. A flash mob has started on social media regarding the candidacy of Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan, whose term ends on February 23. However, judging by Prime Minister Pashinyan's and the ruling party's attitude towards him, this option seems nearly impossible.