Armenian Parliament dissolved, legislative elections in December

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The dissolution comes as a result of a political maneuver by the reformist Prime Minister Nikol Pachinian, who came to power in May after these demonstrations and who now hopes to get a Parliament supporting him. REUTERS / Vahram Baghdasaryan / Photolure

The Armenian National Assembly was dissolved on Thursday, November 1, two weeks after the resignation of Nikol Pachinian as prime minister. Early parliamentary elections will take place on 10 December.

With our correspondent in Yerevan, Constance Léon

The dissolution of the Armenian Parliament is not a surprise. Yesterday, MPs, mostly from the Republican opposition, did not vote in favor of Nikol Pachinian, the only candidate for his own succession as head of government.

Nikol Pachinian resigned as prime minister on October 16. The aim was to provoke a dissolution of Parliament, early parliamentary elections and win a parliamentary majority.

Following the resignation of the Prime Minister, the Armenian Constitution provides that the deputies attempt to elect a new candidate twice. Nikol Pachinian had previously made a tacit agreement with the deputies so that he or another candidate would not be elected. Parliament was dissolved as required by law. A first step that corresponds to the agenda of the former Prime Minister.

The early parliamentary elections are scheduled for 10 December. If Nikol Pachinian's party wins, as he hopes, a parliamentary majority, he can then continue his reforms to fight against corruption.