Armenian opposition leader declares nation-wide strike

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has called on his supporters to block all roads and airports across the country on May 2.

"I call on you to block all airports and roads across the country starting from 08:00 (04:00 GMT) on Wednesday," he said, addressing a rally in downtown Yerevan following the parliament’s rejection of his bid to become prime minister. "We will not let anyone steal the people’s victory," TASS cited him as saying.

"The Republican Party is dead," Pashinyan said, adding that a candidate representing the people should be elected prime minister.

On May 1, Armenia’s parliament held a special session to elect a new prime minister. Pashinyan, nominated by the Elk parliamentary faction, was the only candidate. However, only 45 parliament members voted in his favor, while he needed to receive at least 53 votes to become prime minister.

Under Armenia’s legislation, in case parliament members fail to elect a prime minister, another round of voting should be held within seven days. If the second attempt also fails, the parliament must be dissolved.

The parliament will hold another session to elect a prime minister on May 8.