ARF-D pulls out of governing coalition

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D) on Wednesday evening  announced its decision to pull out of the coalition with the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

In an official statement, it cited the domestic political situation in the country as a reason behind the choice.

“Fortunately, until now, it was possible to avoid the worst-case scenario for resolving the current situation. Over the past days, the ARF-D invested consistent efforts towards achieving unity and finding acceptable and reasonable solutions through a dialogue in the best interests of the people. ”

“But this may not continue too long. Many serious challenges may lie ahead. We are confident that the current situation must find its solution the frameworks of constitutionality and the laws.

“Considering the current situation in the country, we declare our withdrawal of the coalition,” reads the statement.

The ten-day anti-government protests in Yerevan (as well as several other regions across Armenia) led to Serzh Sargsyan's resignation as prime minister (exactly a week after his election by the National Assembly).  The third president, who is also the  governing party’s chairman, received the ruling coalition’s support to be nominated for the post on April 16. His election completed the constitutional transition to a parliamentary government.

The ARF-D aalso calls upon the National Assembly to elect a prime minister “enjoying the people’s trust” and capable of forming a government whose domestic and foreign policies would be aimed at:

1)      relaxing the current tension in Armenia;

2)      overcoming the political crisis;

3)      outlining priorities for resolving the existing problems; and

4)      conducting a legitimate snap parliamentary election under conditions of democracy.