Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan resigns, tells protesters ‘I was wrong’
The Armenian government has named former Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan as acting premier
Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan resigned unexpectedly Monday to quell massive anti-government protests over what critics feared was his effort to seize power for life.
Residents of the capital, Yerevan, poured out on the streets to celebrate his stunning departure. People hugged and kissed each other, and motorists honked their horns.
In a surprise announcement on his website, Sargsyan referred to the protest leader when he said: “Nikol Pashinian was right. I was wrong. The movement on the streets is against my rule. I’m complying with their demands.”
The move plunges the Caucasian Mountains country into uncertainty after 10 days of protests against Sargsyan’s appointment as prime minister.
The appointment was part of a transition to a new governmental system that reduces the powers of the presidency and bolsters those of the premier.