Newsletters
Armenia's government resigned Sunday, as required by the country's Constitution, after the newly elected parliament convened for its first session in the capital, Yerevan.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the move in a video address.
"According to Article 158 of the Constitution, the government resigns on the day of the first session of the newly elected National Assembly," Pashinyan said.
Under Armenia's Constitution, the outgoing government continues to perform its duties in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is formed.
President Vahagn Khachaturyan later signed a decree accepting the resignation of the government headed by Pashinyan.
Pashinyan's ruling Civil Contract Party won Armenia's June parliamentary election, making him expected to form and lead the new government.
In a video message, Pashinyan said his party would submit its candidate for prime minister to Khachaturyan for approval later Sunday.
Pashinyan said Thursday that his government had held its final meeting before resigning as part of the constitutional procedure following the formation of the ninth convocation of parliament.
"Therefore, this is the last time we meet in this composition," Pashinyan said after a Cabinet meeting, according to Russian state news agency Tass.
He said several Cabinet members would continue their work in a different capacity as members of the legislature.
The first session of Armenia's newly elected National Assembly was also marked by controversy after Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was not invited to attend.
Opposition lawmakers criticized the decision, which marked the first time in Armenia's history that the head of the church was not invited to the opening session.
The Armenian Apostolic Church has emerged as one of the government's most outspoken domestic critics in recent years.
Karekin has repeatedly criticized Pashinyan's administration over issues including Armenia's security and relations with Azerbaijan, while Pashinyan has publicly accused senior church leaders of interfering in politics.
Armenia held a parliamentary election on June 7 to elect members of the ninth convocation of the National Assembly.
According to the results, Pashinyan's Civil Contract Party won 49.74% of the vote.
The Strong Armenia Party, led by billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, received 23.27%, while the Armenia Alliance of former President Robert Kocharyan won 9.9%.
Nearly 1.47 million of Armenia's approximately 2.5 million eligible voters cast ballots at 2,005 polling stations nationwide, resulting in a turnout of about 59%.
Sixteen political parties and two political alliances participated in the election.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
