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Pashinyan steps down, but will continue fulfilling Armenian prime minister’s duties

Meanwhile, Pashinyan noted that despite the acting prime minister’s status he would fulfill his duties in full

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Mikhail Klimentyev/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan

© Mikhail Klimentyev/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

YEREVAN, April 25. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan tendered his resignation on Sunday in order to hold early parliamentary elections in the republic.

In his live address on Facebook page, the politician announced plans to continue fulfilling his duties as the prime minister until the polls.

"According to an agreement with the president and political forces, today I’m stepping down in order to hold early parliamentary polls on June 20. The parliament won’t choose the new prime minister twice, after which the legislature will be dissolved under the law and snap elections will be set," he said.

Meanwhile, Pashinyan noted that despite the acting prime minister’s status he would fulfill his duties in full. "Until holding early elections, I will fully comply with the prime minister’s duties according to the constitution and laws," he said.

After Pashinyan’s announcement the government also resigned in accordance with the technical procedure.

Pashinyan said he would run for the head of Armenia’s cabinet from the Civil Contract party in the early parliamentary elections.

"I want to stress that our party, Civil Contract, will take part in the early elections. I will be a candidate for the prime minister. If people decide that I should resign as the prime minister, I will do their will and if they want me to continue my job as the prime minister, I will also do people’s will," he said.

On March 18, after holding political consultations with President Armen Sarkisyan and the leaders of three parliamentary factions Pashinyan said that early parliamentary elections would take place on June 20. Political experts say that the Pashinyan-led bloc’s main rival will be Armenia’s second president, Robert Kocharyan, who is not affiliated with any political force, but will participate in the elections as the head of a bloc of parties.

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