Armenia’s Republican Party declares PM challenger in high-stakes battle

As part of the move to launch impeachment proceedings against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has decided to nominate the party’s deputy chairman, Armen Ashotyan, as its candidate for prime minister.

The Hraparak newspaper reports that since no opposition MP has yet put forward a name for the premiership, RPA members have proposed selecting a representative from the party council to be the official nominee, per Caliber.Az.

According to the outlet, the RPA plans to formally announce Ashotyan’s candidacy in the coming days.

The report also recalls that the name of former National Security Service head Artur Vanetsyan had been under consideration earlier. Vanetsyan previously co-founded the "I Have Honour" bloc together with the RPA. However, the party eventually decided to back Ashotyan instead.

In addition, the I Have Honour parliamentary faction had earlier declined to support Edmond Marukyan, leader of the "Bright Armenia" party, as a candidate.

Under Armenian law, those initiating impeachment proceedings must present their own nominee for the post of prime minister.

By Tamilla Hasanova