Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, following an ignored ultimatum for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, has escalated his efforts by calling for a parliamentary vote of no confidence and the start of “peaceful actions of civil disobedience,” set to begin on Friday morning at 10:00 am, both in and around Yerevan.
The Archbishop announced this move during a large protest in Yerevan’s Republic Square after giving Pashinyan a final 15-minute extension beyond the original one-hour deadline.
Shortly after declaring the need for parliamentary action, Galstanyan met with representatives from the two opposition groups in the Armenian Parliament to discuss “organizing that process.” These discussions led to the opposition’s commitment to initiate a motion of censure against the Prime Minister “in the coming days.”
Despite the majority held by Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party, the opposition’s pledge marks a step towards formal political proceedings against the sitting government.
In addition to parliamentary tactics, Galstanyan announced the start of a series of “peaceful actions of civil disobedience,” set to begin on Friday morning at 10:00 am, both in and around Yerevan. They aim to bolster the pressure on the government from the streets, complementing the legislative approach.
Archbishop Galstanyan also declared his intention to stay overnight in Republic Square, symbolizing his commitment to the cause and readiness to lead prolonged demonstrations. This move is a call to action for his supporters, encouraging a sustained presence in the heart of the Armenian capital.
This series of actions represents a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the government and opposition forces, highlighting the deepening political crisis in Armenia. As the situation unfolds, the nation’s eyes remain fixed on the streets and the halls of Parliament.
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Earlier on Thursday, Armenia’s police and National Security Service warned the protest leaders against taking “actions violating public order.”
Pashinyan, whose political allies have attacked the Archbishop for the last few weeks, on Tuesday accused them of trying to provoke another war with Azerbaijan in hopes of toppling him. He claimed that Azerbaijan would invade Armenia if he bowed to their demands to stop the land handover.
Galstanyan and the Armenian opposition have dismissed his claims. Opposition leaders say Pashinyan himself is encouraging Baku to demand more territory from Armenia and use force for that purpose.
The country’s main opposition forces have welcomed and even joined the Tavush protests. However, they do not seem to be directly involved in the campaign led by Galstanyan.
