Move follows standoff in capital Yerevan between police and armed men, and could pave way for a coalition government

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The prime minister of Armenia has announced his resignation following weeks of civil unrest and a sharp economic downturn.

Hovik Abrahamyan told a cabinet meeting on Thursday that the country needs “new approaches and a new beginning,” and his departure should lead the way towards a coalition government.

Last month, Armenia’s president, Serzh Sargsyan, promised to create a government of national accord after a two-week standoff at a police compound in the capital, Yerevan, which left two police officers dead and shook the nation.

Several dozen armed men stormed the building and demanded the release of Zhirair Sefilyan, the leader of the New Armenia Public Salvation Front opposition group, who was arrested in June on suspicion of preparing to seize government buildings and telecoms facilities in Yerevan.

The standoff galvanised Armenia’s protest movement, triggering rallies in support of the gunmen and further clashes with police.

In recent months, there has been a flare-up of violence in Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region. Karabakh is technically part of Azerbaijan, but it has been run by an ethnic Armenian government since the collapse of the Soviet Union. In April, the worst clashes since a 1994 ceasefire broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Barricades, clashes and a white dog: two weeks of protest in Armenia’s capital Read more

In comments reported by Russian news agencies, Abrahamyan said he was stepping down in order to “give a chance to a new government,” which would offer “new approaches in order to consolidate society”.

However, it was not clear from his statement who would lead the government.

Political analysts in Armenia have named the former mayor of Yerevan Karen Karapetyan, a top executive at Russian gas company Gazprom, as the likeliest successor to Abrahamyan.</s>YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — The prime minister of Armenia says he is resigning in order to give way to a coalition government.

Armenia's president last month promised to create a government of "national accord" following a two-week standoff at a police compound that left two police officers dead and shook the nation.

It was not clear from Prime Minister Ovik Abramyan's statement on Thursday who will lead the new government.

Several dozen armed men captured the police compound in capital Yerevan in July, demanding freedom for an opposition activist and the government's ouster. The standoff triggered rallies in support of the gunmen and clashes with police in what appeared to be the biggest political crisis in this country in years.</s>William Sharp Jr., was born Dec. 8, 1954, in Whitmore to Willie and Priscilla Sharp. He departed his earthly journey on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, at his home.

He was preceded in death by both of parents; his sister, Katie Sharp Walker; his uncle and aunt, Leroy and Betty Washington, who raised him, and his grandparents, Jonas and Helen Hardrick.

He leaves to cherish his memories his long-time companion, Dorothy Summage; his sisters, Dorothy (Terrance) Chancellar of Greenwood, Ill., Jackie and Carolyn Sharp and Diane (Charles) Lewis, all of Robbin, Ill., Lenetta (George) Staples of Country Club, Ill.; three aunts, Irene Moore of Widener, Clara (Ulysses) Pruitt of Forrest City and Maesola (Lewis) Mason, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and a very special friend, Minister Otis Dawson.

Visitation for Mr. Sharp will be held at Kincaid Funeral Services, 2615 S. Washington, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, from 1 to 5 p.m.

The funeral service will be in the chapel of Kincaid Funeral Services on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at 11 a.m., with Minister Otis Dawson delivering the eulogy. Burial will follow at Casteel Cemetery, with arrangements under the direction of Kincaid Funeral Services, Inc.

Share memories or express condolences by signing the guestbook at www.kincaidfuneralservices.com.</s>Armenian prime minister resigns, says country needs new approach

YEREVAN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan tendered his resignation at a government meeting on Thursday, saying the country needed fresh policies, after an economic slowdown this year and outbreaks of violence.

His announcement paves the way for the cabinet to resign and the president to appoint a new prime minister following consultations with parliament.

"We need a new approach, new start. That's why I've decided to resign and let the president form a new government," Abrahamyan said.

A former parliamentary speaker and an economist by training, Abrahamyan was appointed prime minister two years ago. In 2015 Armenia's economy started to deteriorate - economic growth slowed to 3 percent in 2015 from 3.5 percent in 2014 and below the government's growth forecast of 4.1 percent. The government expects 2.2 percent economic growth in 2016.

Armenia, a country of 3.2 million people, depends heavily on aid and investment from former Soviet overlord Russia, whose economic downturn has hit Armenian exports and much-needed remittances from Armenians working there.

The government has also faced political challenges, including a flare-up of violence in Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in April between Armenian-backed separatists and Azeri forces.

Two months later a group of 30 armed men seized the police station and took hostages in the Armenian capital Yerevan. Two police officers were killed during a two-week stand-off, before gunmen surrendered to the authorities.

The incident led to mass protests in the capital, when people took to the streets to secure the release of a jailed opposition politician and demand the resignation of the government and the president.

Shortly after that Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan said radical reforms in political and social life were needed. He said it was necessary to form "a government of national accord" to provide a broader distribution and division of political responsibility.

Local media reported that Abrahamyan might be replaced by 53-year-old technocrat Karen Karapetyan, the former head of national gas distributing company ArmRosGazprom and later Yerevan mayor.

After leaving the post of mayor, he moved to Moscow, to be appointed as the first vice-president of Gazprombank. He is currently deputy CEO of Russian gas producer Gazprom's Mezhregiongaz unit.

Experts say the new government is likely to be temporary and the final configuration will emerge only after 2017 parliamentary election and the end of Sarksyan's second term in 2018, when the full transition from the semi-presidential form of government to a parliamentary republic will be completed. (Writing by Margarita Antidze; Editing by Dominic Evans)
Hovik Abrahamyan resigns as Prime Minister of Armenia citing civil unrest and a sharp economic downturn.