Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan has appointed Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister on Sunday by decree after the previous government resigned following the first session of the newly elected National Assembly.

The decree, published on the president’s official website, cited Article 149, Part 1 of Armenia’s Constitution, which requires the president to appoint the candidate nominated by the parliamentary majority.

Armenia's government resigned on Sunday, as required by the country's Constitution, after the country's newly elected parliament convened for its first session in the capital Yerevan. The move was announced by Nikol Pashinyan in a video address.

"According to Article 158 of the Constitution, the government resigns on the day of the first session of the newly elected National Assembly," he said.

The Civil Contract party, which holds the majority in parliament after winning the June elections, nominated Pashinyan for the post. 

Church absence sparks controversy

The first session of Armenia's newly elected National Assembly was marked by controversies as, for the first time in the country's history, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, was not invited to attend. 

The Armenian Apostolic Church has emerged as one of the government's most outspoken domestic critics in recent years.

Karekin II has repeatedly criticised Pashinyan's administration over security issues and relations with Azerbaijan, while the prime minister has accused senior church figures of interfering in politics.

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With his reappointment confirmed, Pashinyan is noq expected to form a new government. 

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Armenia Nikol Pashinyan Armenian Government National Assembly Civil Contract Party Armenian Apostolic Church Vahagn Khachaturyan