Armenia’s government to resign as Pashinyan prepares to form new cabinet

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his government will resign on 2 August after the country’s newly elected parliament convenes, paving the way for the formation of a new cabinet following his party’s election victory.

Government to step down

Pashinyan said on Thursday that his government had held its final meeting before resigning as part of the constitutional process following the formation of the ninth convocation of Armenia’s parliament.

He explained that, under Armenian law, the outgoing government resigns on the day of the first sitting of the newly elected parliament.

Following the resignation, the president of Armenia will appoint the prime ministerial candidate nominated by the parliamentary majority.

“Therefore, this is the last time we meet in this composition,” Pashinyan said, adding that some cabinet members would continue their work as members of the legislature.

Civil Contract wins parliamentary election

The resignation follows Armenia’s parliamentary election on 7 June, which elected members of the ninth convocation of the National Assembly.

Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract Party won 49.74 per cent of the vote, securing the right to form a new government independently.

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The Strong Armenia party, led by billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, received 23.27 per cent, while the Armenia Alliance, led by former President Robert Kocharyan, won 9.9 per cent.

Around 1.47 million people voted in the election from approximately 2.5 million eligible voters, bringing turnout to about 59 per cent.

A total of 16 political parties and two alliances took part in the vote.

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Armenia Nikol Pashinyan Armenian Government Armenia elections South Caucasus