Armenia: Pashinyan calls for rally in Yerevan on May 7 /update 16

Event

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has called for a rally to be held at Republic Square in central Yerevan at 21:00 (local time) on Monday, May 7. Pashinyan is expected to receive Serj Tankian, an Armenian-American singer-songwriter, beforehand at Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) at 20:00; Tankian is slated to perform following Pashinyan's speech and rally at 21:00. A heightened security presence and associated traffic disruptions are expected ahead of and during the rally, including on the road to the airport and near Republic Square.

Context

The planned rally comes before the Armenian parliament is expected to elect the next prime minister on May 8. Pashinyan is currently the only candidate.

On May 2, Pashinyan called for a suspension of nationwide protests and strikes that began earlier in the day and led to the obstruction of roads - including the route to EVN - and railroads in Yerevan and other areas in the country. Pashinyan initially called for the protests and strikes after he failed to win his bid to become the country's next prime minister on May 1, with parliament voting against him 55 to 45.

Anti-government demonstrations have been taking place daily in Yerevan since April 13, eventually leading to the April 23 resignation of former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan. Hundreds of protesters have been detained by police. Sociopolitical tensions have been high in the country since December 2015, when a controversial constitutional amendment changed Armenia's government from a semi-presidential system to a parliamentary republic. Under the new government, the president has a largely ceremonial role while the prime minister has become more powerful. Opponents claimed that the new system was designed to allow then-President Sargsyan to maintain control of the government following the end of his term in April. Opposition leaders have called for a "Velvet Revolution" in a bid to "preserve" democracy in the country.

Advice

Individuals present in Armenia, particularly in Yerevan, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, confirm transportation reservations, allow for extra time to reach their destinations, and avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence.