2018 Armenian Revolution
You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Armenian. (April 2018) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
The 2018 Armenian Revolution, most commonly known in Armenia as #MerzhirSerzhin (Armenian: #ՄերժիրՍերժին, meaning "#RejectSerzh"), was a series of anti-government protests in Armenia from April to May 2018 staged by various political and civil groups led by a member of the Armenian parliament — Nikol Pashinyan (head of the Civil Contract party). Protests and marches took place initially in response to Serzh Sargsyan's third consecutive term as the most powerful figure in the government of Armenia, later broadening against the ruling Republican Party, who were in power since 1999. Pashinyan declared it a Velvet Revolution (Armenian: Թավշյա հեղափոխություն).[31][32]
| 2018 Armenian Revolution (Velvet Revolution) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 31 March – 8 May 2018[1] (1 month, 1 week and 1 day) | ||
| Location | |||
| Caused by |
| ||
| Goals |
| ||
| Methods | Demonstrations, sit-ins, student protest, civil disobedience, online activism, boycotts of business, general strike | ||
| Resulted in | Protester victory
| ||
| Parties | |||
| |||
| Lead figures | |||
Nikol Pashinyan MP (detained from 22 to 23 April)[23] Serzh Sargsyan (ex-president, resigned Prime Minister) | |||
| Number | |||
| Casualties and losses | |||
| |||
On April 22, Pashinyan was arrested and held in solitary confinement overnight, then released on April 23, the same day that Sargsyan resigned, saying "I was wrong, while Nikol Pashinyan was right".[33][34] The event is referred to by some as a peaceful revolution akin to revolutions in other post-Soviet states.[35][36][37] By the evening of April 25, the Republican Party's coalition partner, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, had withdrawn from the coalition.[11]
By April 28, all of the opposition parties in Armenia's parliament had announced they would support Pashinyan's candidacy.[38] A vote was scheduled in the National Assembly for May 1; for Pashinyan to be elected Prime Minister, which required 53 votes, he would have had to win the votes of at least six members of the Republican Party.[39] Pashinyan was the only candidate who was put forward for the vote.[40] However, the Republican Party unanimously voted against Pashinyan – 102 MPs were present, out of which 56 voted against his candidacy and 45 voted for it.[41][42] One week later, on May 8, the second vote took place. Pashinyan was elected Prime Minister with 59 votes.[14][43]
The revolution was seen as an opportunity for Armenia to realign its foreign policy in the European direction. The revolution contradicted Russian policy, as it opposed the notion of the irreplaceability of post-Soviet leaders and posed a threat to authoritarianism in the post-Soviet space. The revolution in Armenia was deemed "European" in nature as it corresponded to European values and principles, both societal and political.[44] The revolution signaled a significant shift in Armenia's domestic politics, with pro-Russian politicians being ousted from power and a reformist government taking their place. The change brought about a reevaluation of Armenia's relations with Russia. The reformist government sought to distance itself from Russia's aggressive tactics and realign Armenia with the Western values of democracy and human rights.[45]
Preceding situation edit
Between 2012 and 2017, reported levels of trust in the national government was at 25%, while confidence in the judicial system was at 29%, figures which were below all of Armenia's neighbouring countries at the time.[46]
Nomination of Sargsyan for the post of Prime Minister edit
Demonstrations and protests began in March 2018, when members of the Republican Party did not exclude the option of nominating Serzh Sargsyan for the prime minister's post.[47][48][49][50] This meant a continuation of Sargsyan's rule (as either Prime Minister or President) since March 2007. He had amended the constitution in 2015 to remove term limits which would have prevented him doing this.[51]
Protesters had vowed to block the party's headquarters on April 14, where leaders were going to gather to formally nominate Serzh Sargsyan for prime minister. The Republican Party held its meeting outside of the capital Yerevan and unanimously voted to formally nominate Serzh Sargsyan for the office of prime minister.[52] The coalition partner, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, supported the ruling Republican Party's decision, as did most of the opposition Prosperous Armenia party caucus.[53][54]
Meanwhile, the Way Out Alliance emerged as a pro-European and anti-Russian political alliance, which actively participated in street protests supporting Nikol Pashinyan following Serzh Sargsyan's nomination for prime minister. The alliance believed that Sargsyan was largely controlled by Moscow and labelled him a 'dictator' who rigged elections. Noting the rise of anti-Russian sentiments in the country, the alliance called for Armenia to develop closer ties with the European Union.[55]
Protests edit
On March 31, Nikol Pashinyan began his Im Qayl (my step) protest walk, starting in the city of Gyumri, and walking through cities and towns such as Vanadzor, Dilijan, Hrazdan, and Abovyan, before finally reaching Yerevan on April 13 and holding a small rally.[56]
About 100 protesters stayed overnight in France Square after the first day of protests, and an equal number did the same on Saturday night, some sleeping in tents, others gathered around fires. By Sunday morning, the Armenian police had made no effort to disrupt the demonstrations.[52]
On Monday April 16, the "Take a Step, Reject Serzh" campaign began actions of civil disobedience. On April 17, the day that the prime minister's election was scheduled, the protesters intended to block entrances to the building of the National Assembly in order to prevent the vote from taking place.[57][58] Lines of riot police stopped them from advancing further towards the National Assembly building.[59]
After the election of the former president Serzh Sargsyan as the new prime minister, the protests continued to grow, despite hundreds of people being detained by police.[60][61] The prime minister in response asked the government to take back the presidential mansion which it had given him a few weeks earlier.[62] The crowds reached 50,000[63] on the night of April 21, with countless sporadic street closures in the capital, which also began to spread across the country.[64]
As the crowds grew, the new prime minister called repeatedly for talks with the leader of the protest movement, Nikol Pashinyan, but Pashinyan said he was only willing to discuss the terms of the Prime Minister's resignation.[65] After Pashinyan's rally was visited by the Armenian President on the evening of April 21 for a brief chat with Pashinyan,[66] Pashinyan agreed to meet the prime minister at 10 am on April 22, saying he believed the topic would be Serzh Sargsyan's resignation.[67]
April 22 edit
The meeting, which lasted for a mere three minutes,[68] failed to achieve anything, with Sargsyan walking out of it and accusing the opposition of "blackmail" when Pashinyan stated he had only agreed to discuss terms of the Prime Minister's resignation and nothing else.[69] During the meeting, Sargsyan asked Pashinyan not to speak on behalf of the people and not to issue ultimatums to the government, given the low level of support for his political alliance (less than 10 percent of the vote in the past parliamentary elections). He also warned that Pashinyan had not "learned the lessons of March 1", a reference to the protestors killed by police while contesting the validity of the election results of Sargsyan's election 10 years earlier, amounting to an open threat of violence against the protesters gathering daily in around the nation.[70]
Immediately after the meeting, Pashinyan led a group of supporters from the site of the meeting by Republic Square on a long march down Tigran Mets and Artsakh streets to the Erebuni district, where they were met by riot police and stun grenades as Pashinyan was detained followed by mass detentions of protestors, including opposition lawmakers Sasun Mikayelyan and Ararat Mirzoyan.[71][72] Protests continue throughout the city. By the evening 232 protestors had been detained or arrested,[73] and, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, tens of thousands[74] gathered in Republic Square to continue to demand the resignation of PM Serzh Sargsyan. The police issued a statement saying that Pashinyan, Mikaelyan and Mirzoyan had been detained for 72 hours; however criminal charges could only be brought against them if the Republican-controlled National Assembly stripped them of their parliamentary immunity.[75]
April 23 edit
Protests resumed on April 23, with media outlets reporting that former and current members of the Armenian armed forces, including participants of the 2016 April War, have joined in the rallies for the first time.[76][77][78][79] This information was later confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.[80]
Pashinyan was released at 3pm, and went directly to Republic Square where he spoke briefly, saying he would return at 6:30pm. By 4:30pm, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan had posted a message on the official website of the prime minister announcing his resignation.[81] Former Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan succeeded Sargsyan as acting Prime Minister.[82]
April 24 edit
April 24 is marked as the national day of remembrance of the Armenian genocide. The protesters gathered in masses and walked to Tsitsernakaberd, Armenia's national Genocide Memorial. No protest was held on that day.
April 25 edit
Pashinyan called for renewed protests on 25 April after talks with the Republican Party were cancelled due to Karapetyan's refusal to accept preconditions laid down by Pashinyan.[11] Earlier, Pashinyan stated that the Republican Party had no right to hold power in Armenia, and that a "people's candidate" should be appointed prime minister prior to holding snap elections.[83][84] He added that the protest movement should nominate this transitional prime minister, a position that was rejected by the current government as it would violate the law.[84] Protesters took to the streets to block the road to Yerevan's international airport and the road leading to the border with Georgia.[85] Meanwhile, the Prosperous Armenia Party and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation both declared their support for Pashinyan's movement, with the latter pulling out of the ruling coalition.[86] Pashinyan vowed to continue the protests until he was appointed prime minister.[12]
April 26 edit
Tens of thousands continued to protest on 26 April, though Pashinyan asked protestors to stop blocking streets.[87] The ruling Republican party announced it was ready to meet with Pashinyan without any preconditions, while Pashinyan offered to negotiate with them while insisting he must become Prime Minister.[88]
April 27 edit
Pashinyan called on his supporters to suspend their rallies in Yerevan for 2 days while he held rallies in Gyumri on 27 April and Vanadzor on 28 April.[89] In the morning he met with Armenia's largely ceremonial President, leaders of the governing party's former coalition partner the ARF, as well as Parliament's second largest faction, Prosperous Armenia.[89] In an interview on the same day, the president hailed the "New Armenia" that has come about due to the protests, and the chance for "a real democratic state".[90] Meanwhile, the ruling Republican party announced that they do not see any regime change occurring in Armenia.[91]
April 28 edit
On 28 April, Pashinyan held rallies in Vanadzor and Ijevan, while the second and third largest parties in Parliament – Prosperous Armenia and the ARF – announced they would support his candidacy for PM,[92] and the ruling Republican party announced they would not block Pashinyan's candidacy,[93] and that they would not put forward their own candidate.[94]
May 1 edit
Parliament held elections for a new Prime Minister, with the opposition leader Pashinyan the only nominee, as over 100,000 people watched the 9 hour session being broadcast live at Republic Square. However, the majority party blocked his nomination by voting against him with one exception. After the election, prominent Armenian singers such as Iveta Mukuchyan and Sona Shahgeldyan performed for the crowd and made inspiring speeches. Pashinyan walked to Republic Square and told the crowd to go on strike the next day, and block all transportation from 8:15 in the morning until 5 in the evening, then gather for another rally at 7pm in Republic Square.
May 2 edit
The nation ground to a halt as countless streets and highways were peacefully blocked throughout the nation, and many workers and businesses went on strike. The main airport access road was cut off, with some workers striking, and even land crossings were blocked. Approximately 150,000 people gathered in another evening rally in Republic Square to listen to Pashinyan speak, and were told that he had been informed that due to the strike, the ruling party had decided to support his candidacy in the next round of voting on May 8.[95] Protests were suspended in the meantime.
May 8 edit
On May 8, Parliament had another vote for a new Prime Minister, and again Nikol Pashinyan was the only candidate. This time, the majority Republican party gave Pashinyan enough votes to win with a 59–42 margin.[96] All the votes against Pashinyan still came from the Republican party.
Reactions edit
On April 4 Edmon Marukyan, leader of the Bright Armenia party, which cooperated with the Civil Contract party led by Nikol Pashinyan in the Way Out Alliance published an article in Aravot newspaper, in which he stated his preference for formal means of counteracting the ruling coalition rather than civil disobedience actions.[18]
Leader of the Free Democrats party and former MP Khachatur Kokobelyan attended protests and expressed his support for the actions.[18]
Many cultural figures had already declared solidarity with the opposition movement. In particular, well-known musician Serj Tankian of System of a Down addressed the activists declaring his solidarity and support, stressing the impermissibility of one-party rule in Armenia.[97] Some organizations of the diaspora, in particular the Assembly of Armenians of Europe, also expressed support for the opposition.[98]
The Helsinki Committee of Armenia noted that freedom of expression and media had improved significantly.[99] Meanwhile, the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly–Vanadzor called for further strengthening Armenia's democracy and government transparency.[100] The Europe in Law Association called for the elimination of corruption and for the government to strengthen Armenia's judicial system.[101]
Mamikon Hovespyan, Director of Pink Armenia, an LGBT rights group, stated "while LGBT+ people were present at previous protests, this time they were more visible and accepted."[102]
Following the revolution, it was recommended that an EU Advisory Group to Armenia be reestablished as a way to counter Russian influence in Armenia, tackle corruption, and to assist post-revolutionary Armenia to build closer ties with the EU and continue implementing its reform agenda. Many called for prime minister Nikol Pashinyan to increase engagement with Europe as a way to reduce the country's overdependence on Russia.[103]
International reactions edit
- Council of Europe: The Council of Europe praised the peaceful transition of power, and hailed the protests as a milestone in Armenia's history and a "euphoric moment" that unified the nation.[104]
- European Union: On April 24 the head of the EU Delegation to Armenia hailed the success in the civic disobedience campaign in the country, promising a more intensive process towards the ratification of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.[105]
- Georgia: Mikheil Saakashvili, former president of Georgia, released a video on April 23 congratulating the Armenian people on Sargsyan's resignation. He stated: "Today you have every right to be proud of yourself, to be proud of the fact that you are Armenians, the proud people who could prove to the whole world that they have dignity, that they want to live in normal human conditions, free from corruption. Armenia has a great future; today I was convinced of it again. I support you, we will always be with you. Well done!"[106] He also claimed that the movement is a "rebellion against Russia".[107]
- Russia: Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova praised the peaceful transition, adding that "Armenia, Russia is always with you!"[108] A statement on the Foreign Ministry official web page reads: "We hope that the situation will develop exclusively in the legal and constitutional field, and all political forces will show responsibility and readiness for a constructive dialogue. We are convinced that the prompt return of life in the country to normal and the restoration of public accord meet the fundamental interests of the fraternal Armenia."[109]
- United States: On April 23, US Ambassador Richard Mills praised the Armenian police and anti-government protesters led by Nikol Pashinyan for avoiding bloodshed during their standoff that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan. A statement by the US State Department expressed hope that his successor will be chosen in a transparent and constitutional manner. The statement also called on Armenia's leading political groups to "avoid an escalation of the situation and any violent actions."[110] Protests were held by Armenians in various communities of the United States, with 5,000 protesters gathering in solidarity with those protesting in Armenia on April 22[111] and additional protests being held on other days, including May 8.[112]
Impact edit
During the 2020 Belarusian protests, the Armenian revolution was brought up as a model for Belarus for its lack of anti-Russian or pro-Western geopolitical orientation by commentators such as Carl Bildt,[113][114] Anders Åslund,[115] Ian Bremmer,[116] Yaroslav Trofimov,[117] Ben Judah,[118] and others. Belarusian journalist Franak Viačorka criticized this notion.[119] Armenia's Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan also rejected the comparisons. "Armenia followed its own path and it's not quite correct to draw parallels based on that. True, there might be some common parameters, but on the whole these are different situations," he said.[120]
Armenian Velvet Revolution in art edit
The Armenian velvet revolution almost immediately found its response in modern Armenian art. One of the first artists who touched on the topic was the artist Anna Soghomonyan with her painting "The Armenian Velvet Revolution". This is a multi-figure composition in a fabulous style inherent in the author, which includes people of different types who participated in the events of spring 2018.[121] According to the author, this painting is very symbolic not only because it was created during a very emotional period and represents a concentrated reflection of these emotions, but also because it was sold on the day of the defeat of the Armenians in the Second Artsakh War,[122] which, in fact, may symbolize the failure of the hopes of the national awakening of 2018.
In July 2018, in the exhibition hall "Albert and Tove Boyajyan" of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia, art historian Meri Ghazaryan organized a photo exhibition entitled "Velvet Revolution: Between Picture and Reality", which presented the works of young photographers who caught the fresh breath of the revolution, known and unknown pages of spring events, impressive episodes and faces.[123]
In October 2018, art critic Vardan Jaloyan and a group of artists organized an exhibition of contemporary art "Revolutionary Sensorium" at the History Museum of Armenia, where the key events of the revolution were presented to museum visitors in a combination of photographs and video installations.[124]
On May 9, 2019, within the framework of the 59th Venice Biennale of Art, the Armenian pavilion was opened, where the project "Revolutionary Sensorium" was presented under the curatorship of art critic Susanna Gulamiryan. The participants of the project were a group of artists "Artlab Yerevan" (Hovhannes Margaryan, Vardan Jaloyan, Artur Petrosyan, Gagik Charchyan) and artist Narine Arakelyan.[125]
In November 2018, the literary website "Groghutsav", founded by writers Arpi Voskanyan and Hambartsum Hambartsumyan, was relaunched. Since 2011, Groghutsav has rallied writers involved in the opposition, political struggle and not disdaining to bring political and social problems to literature on one platform, but in July 2017, due to lack of financial resources, it ceased its activities. The restarted project has a number of subprojects, one of which is called the "Revolutionary Program". This program is carried out by publishing works that focus on the velvet revolution in Armenia in 2018 with its results and consequences.[126]
See also edit
- 2008 Armenian presidential election protests, especially clashes that occurred 1 March
- 2011 Armenian protests, triggered over Karen Karapetyan's decision to ban street vendors in Yerevan
- Mashtots Park Movement, 2012 protests to save green space in Yerevan
- 2013 Armenian protests, over Serzh Sargsyan's re-election
- 2013 Armenian protests over public transportation fare hikes
- Electric Yerevan, 2015 protests over electricity rate hikes
- 2016 Yerevan hostage crisis demonstrations
- I Am Not Alone, a 2019 documentary film about the revolution
- 2020–2021 Armenian protests
- Colour revolution
- Serzhik, go away!
- List of protests in the 21st century
Further reading edit
- Lanskoy, Miriam & Suthers, Elspeth. "Armenia's Velvet Revolution." Journal of Democracy, vol. 30 no. 2, 2019, pp. 85–99.
References edit
- ^ "Armenia contemplates the unlikely: a nonviolent revolution on the cusp of victory". Los Angeles Times. 7 May 2018. from the original on 8 January 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- ^ "Thousands of SoCal Armenians protest election results in their homeland". KABC-TV. 23 April 2018. from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "В Москве у армянской церкви прошла акция в поддержку протестов в Ереване. Митингующих задержали". meduza (in Russian). 22 April 2018. from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ Ghukasyan, Seda (18 April 2018). "Yerevan: "Reject Serzh" Rally Kicks-Off in Republic Square; March To Baghramyan Avenue". Hetq. from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
He claimed that protesters had removed a photo of Serzh Sargsyan hanging in the Armenian Consulate in Marseille and publicly burnt it.
- ^ International, Radio Canada (23 April 2018). "Canada 'applauds' courage of Armenian protesters". rcinet.ca. from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ International (20 April 2018). "Yerevan's 'Velvet Revolution' Rally: Pashinyan Calls Sargsyan a "Political Corpse"". rcinet.ca. from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ^ "Armenia: Negotiations Fail, Opposition Leaders Detained, Protesters Increase in Numbers". Armenian Weekly. 22 April 2018. from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Armenian PM Sarkisian Resigns After Protest Leader Pashinian Released". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Thousands Celebrate As Armenia's Longtime Ruler Sarkisian Steps Down". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 24 April 2018. from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Пашинян потребовал "единогласной капитуляции" правящей партии Армении". РБК. 25 April 2018. from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ a b c "Pashinian Claims Armenian Ruling Party Defections, Warns PM". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 25 April 2018. from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Пашинян пообещал не прекращать протесты до назначения премьером Армении". РБК. 26 April 2018. from the original on 31 May 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ "Armenia's Pashinian Optimistic As Yerevan Protests Continue". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 30 April 2018. from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ a b Roth, Andrew (8 May 2018). "'He's not a populist, he's popular': Nikol Pashinyan becomes Armenian PM". the Guardian. from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
- ^ "Opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan discharged from hospital, joins protesters". from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- ^ Aslanian, Karlen (22 April 2018). "Huge Crowds Keep Up Pressure On Armenian PM". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան. from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ a b c "Dilemma of quick defeat and long-term but inevitable victory | www.aravot-en.am". from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Unarmed soldiers join anti-government protests in Armenia". Reuters. 23 April 2018. from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ "Pashinyan to Negotiate with Authorities 'on Behalf of People' (Live Thread)". epress.am. 21 April 2018. from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
Samvel Aleksanyan, a local oligarch close to Serzh Sargsyan, is personally fighting demonstrators in Malatia district. In a video published on Facebook, Aleksanyan is seen kicking a protester who is then forcibly put into a car.
- ^ Atanesian, Grigor (16 April 2018). "Thousands of protesters shut down Armenia's capital, dozens injured in clashes". eurasianet. from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Nikol Pashinyan Called on Oligarchs Not to Involve Their Bodyguards". lragir.am. 16 April 2018. from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ "PanARMENIAN.Net – Mobile". panarmenian.net. from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Armenia's revolution continues, as its opposition leader nears power". The Economist. 3 May 2018. from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ Weiss, Clara (25 April 2018). "Armenian prime minister resigns after mass protests". World Socialist Web Site. from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ Ferris-Rotman, Amie (2 May 2018). "Armenia's pro-democracy leader tells his jubilant followers they can ease up". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ Kucera, Joshua (22 April 2018). "Armenian opposition leader arrested, but protesters rally". eurasianet. from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ "Armenian Ruling Party Won't Nominate PM Candidate; Pashinian Rallies Support". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 29 April 2018. from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ about, Melissa MacBride, bio (23 April 2018). "SoCal Armenians protest election results in their homeland". ABC7 Los Angeles. from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Հոսպիտալացվել է 46 քաղաքացի, այդ թվում՝ 6 ոստիկան" (in Armenian). from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ ""Velvet Revolution" Takes Armenia into the Unknown". Crisis Group. 26 April 2018. from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ Բուլղադարյան, Նաիրա (21 April 2018). "«Մերժիր Սերժին» նախաձեռնության համակարգողներից Արմեն Գրիգորյանը ձերբակալվել է" – via www.azatutyun.am.
- ^ "Премьер-министр Армении Саргсян подал в отставку". РБК. 23 April 2018. from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ Hairenik (23 April 2018). "Breaking: Serge Sarkisian Resigns as Prime Minister". The Armenian Weekly. from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Armenia's Peaceful Revolution Is a Lesson for Putin". Bloomberg.com. 23 April 2018. from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ Eckel, Mike (24 April 2018). "A 'Color Revolution' In Armenia? Mass Protests Echo Previous Post-Soviet Upheavals". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ "Кандидатуру Пашиняна решили поддержать три партии из парламента Армении". РБК. 28 April 2018. from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Armenian Opposition Leader Pashinyan Nominated As PM Candidate". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 30 April 2018. from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ Armenian Protest Leader Pashinian Only Candidate For Premier 29 November 2021 at the Wayback Machine, rferl.org; accessed 30 April 2018.
- ^ "Парламент проголосовал против Пашиняна на выборах премьера Армении". РБК. May 2018. from the original on 11 July 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ "PanARMENIAN.Net – Mobile". panarmenian.net. from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
- ^ "Revolution sweeps Armenian opposition leader into power". Reuters. 8 May 2018. from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018 – via www.reuters.com.
- ^ "Nikol Pashinyan's Russian threats and European opportunities". 1in.am. from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ^ "Armenia's EU Candidacy: A Departure from Moscow's Sphere of Influence". ankasam.org. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ "HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDICES AND INDICATORS: 2018 STATISTICAL UPDATE" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ ռ/կ, Ազատություն (5 March 2018). ""Հնարավոր է Սերժ Սարգսյանը դառնա վարչապետ". Շարմազանով". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ "Armenia Parliament ex-speaker: I'm sure Serzh Sargsyan will be PM". news.am. from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ "Ես կհամոզեմ Սերժ Սարգսյանին. գեներալ (տեսանյութ)". 1in.am. from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ ռ/կ, Ազատություն (12 February 2018). ""Պատրաստ եմ վարչապետի պաշտոնում առաջադրել Սերժ Սարգսյանի թեկնածությունը". Արմեն Աշոտյան". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ Who needs parliamentary republic in Armenia? 27 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine Vestnik Kavkaza, 5 October 2015
- ^ a b . Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ . tert.am. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Serzh Sargsyan elected prime minister of Armenia among clashes in Yerevan". EurAsia Daily. 17 April 2018. from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "The main paradox of modern Armenia".
- ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Նիկոլ Փաշինյանը հայտարարեց 14-օրյա քայլարշավ սկսելու մասին". www.panorama.am. from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ "Armenia crisis: Protesters bring cities to standstill after vote". BBC. 2 May 2018. from the original on 30 May 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "More Streets In Yerevan Blocked By Hundreds Opposition Protesters". aravot-en.am. from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ . «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ . «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ ռ/կ, Ազատություն (19 April 2018). "Sarkisian Gives Up Ownership Of Official Residence". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ . Washington Post. Associated Press. 21 April 2018. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ "Armenia: Protesters Shut Down Noyemberyan-Bagratashen Highway – Hetq – News, Articles, Investigations". from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ Aslanian, Karlen (21 April 2018). "Armenian PM Wants Urgent Talks With Protest Leader". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ Aslanian, Karlen; Stepanian, Ruzanna (21 April 2018). "Armenian President Visits Main Protest Site (UPDATED)". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ ռ/կ, Ազատություն (21 April 2018). "Serzh Sarkisian, Pashinian Agree To Meet". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ "Премьер-министр Армении встретился с лидером протестов. Их переговоры продлились три минуты". Meduza (in Russian). from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Tens Of Thousands Fill Yerevan Square As Protest Leader Pashinian Detained". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 22 April 2018. from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ Agencies (22 April 2018). "Armenian opposition leader detained amid political unrest". the Guardian. from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Власти Армении пошли на силовую акцию против шествия оппозиции в Ереване". РБК. 22 April 2018. from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Tens Of Thousands Fill Yerevan Square As Protest Leader Pashinian Detained". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 22 April 2018. from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Число задержанных полицией активистов в Ереване возросло до 232 человек". РБК. 22 April 2018. from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ Aslanian, Karlen (22 April 2018). "Huge Crowds Keep Up Pressure On Armenian PM". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Yerevan Bracing For Fresh Protests After Detention Of Leader". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Live Stream: Fresh Protests In Armenia". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 23 April 2018. from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Group of soldiers joins anti-government protests in Armenia". from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Armenian soldiers join anti-government protests in Yerevan". DailySabah. from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "К протестам в Ереване присоединились военные". РБК. 23 April 2018. from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ LLC, ZOOM GRAPHICS. "ՀՀ ՊԱՇՏՊԱՆՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՆԱԽԱՐԱՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ | Հայտարարություն". mil.am. from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Վարչապետ Սերժ Սարգսյանի հայտարարությունը – Մամլո հաղորդագրություններ – Լրատվություն – Հայաստանի Հանրապետության վարչապետ". primeminister.am (in Armenian). from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ "Armenian PM resigns after protests". BBC News. 23 April 2018. from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ Fieke Snijder and, Mahir Zeynalov (26 April 2018). "Alexander Iskandaryan: Early to Say if Armenia Will Change for Better". The Globe Post. from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Оппозиция вновь вышла на улицы Еревана. Переговоры Пашиняна с премьером сорваны". Meduza (in Russian). from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5ae046e89a79471c04280ebe 26 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine Протестующие в Ереване перекрыли дорогу в аэропорт Звартноц
- ^ ռ/կ, Ազատություն (25 April 2018). "Dashnaktsutyun Quits Armenian Government". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ Aslanian, Karlen (26 April 2018). "Armenian Parliament to Choose New PM on May 1". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան. from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ Aslanian, Karlen; Stepanian, Ruzanna (26 April 2018). "Armenian Protest Leader Offers Talks with Government". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան. from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ a b Tamrazian, Harry; Stepanian, Ruzanna; Aslanian, Karlen (27 April 2018). "Acting PM Refuses to Meet 'Intransigent' Pashinian". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան. from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ Tamrazian, Harry (26 April 2018). "President Hails 'New Armenia'". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան. from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ Stepanian, Ruzanna (27 April 2018). "Ruling Party Figure Sees No 'Regime Change' in Armenia". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան. from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ Stepanian, Ruzanna; Bedevian, Astghik (28 April 2018). "Tsarukian, Dashnaks Signal Support for Pashinian". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան. from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ Lazarian, Tatevik (29 April 2018). "Armenian Parliament Majority 'Won't Block' Opposition Candidate for PM". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան. from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ Stepanian, Ruzanna; Aslanian, Karlen (28 April 2018). "Armenian Ruling Party Vows No Candidate for PM (UPDATED)". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան. from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ "Armenia's pro-democracy leader tells his jubilant followers they can ease up". The Washington Post. 2 May 2018. from the original on 22 September 2020.
- ^ ռ/կ, Ազատություն (8 May 2018). "Pashinian Elected Armenian PM (UPDATED)". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան. from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ "Serj Tankian on Yerevan protests: Civil disobedience works like a charm when enough people participate". news.am. from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Arminfo: In Yerevan, the initiative Take a step, turn down Serzhu began the action of civil disobedience". from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Հայաստանից մոտ 2 շաբաթ հետո ՄԱԿ-ի Մարդու իրավունքների խորհրդին կեղծ տեղեկություններ են ներկայացվելու". Live News. 9 January 2020. from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "«2018-ից հետո ժողովրդավարական գործընթացների սկսման հնարավորություն ունեցանք և ունենք, բայց իշխանությունը հետևողական չեղավ ժողովրդավարական փոփոխությունների առումով». Արթուր Սաքունց | Առավոտ - Լուրեր Հայաստանից". from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Armenia's judicial tightrope walk |". from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Armenia's LGBT+ community still waits for change one year after revolution". Reuters. from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ Giragosian, Richard (7 August 2019). "Paradox of power: Russia, Armenia, and Europe after the Velvet Revolution". ECFR. from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "The functioning of democratic institutions in Armenia". assembly.coe. from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ . tert.am. Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ "Saakashvili: Armenia has a great future". news.am. from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ Georgia, Civil. "Civil.Ge – Georgia: Mixed Reactions over Armenia Protests". civil.ge. from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ "'I Was Wrong': Armenian Leader Quits Amid Protests". New York Times. 23 April 2018. from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ "Russian foreign ministry emphasizes restoration of public accord in Armenia". arka.am. 25 April 2018. from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ Sahakian, Nane; Harutyunyan, Sargis (24 April 2018). "U.S. Envoy Hails 'Spirit Of Democracy' In Armenia". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ MacBride, Melissa (23 April 2018). "SoCal Armenians protest election results in their homeland". ABC7 Los Angeles. from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ bio, veronica miracle bio,veronica miracle, veronica abc7 (8 May 2018). "Armenians gather in Glendale to rally for upcoming election". ABC7 Los Angeles. from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Bildt, Carl (18 August 2020). "The Armenian Model for Belarus". Project Syndicate. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ Bildt, Carl (19 August 2020). "The Armenian model for Belarus". European Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ Åslund, Anders (16 August 2020). "Why Vladimir Putin is unlikely to invade Belarus". Atlantic Council. Archived from the original on 16 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
Rather than looking to Russia's policy toward Ukraine in 2014, I think we should turn to its policy on Armenia since 2018. This was the most recent post-Soviet color revolution. Initially, Putin's position seemed to be hesitant, but now he appears to be quite happy with Armenia's very popular democratic Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenia has stayed in the Eurasian Economic Union and in Moscow's Collective Security Treaty Organization along with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. In addition, large Russian state companies completely dominate the Armenian economy.
- ^ Bremmer, Ian (18 August 2020). "Russia didn't intervene when the Armenians threw out their leader two years ago. [...] Same factors in Belarus today". Twitter. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ Trofimov, Yaroslav (14 August 2020). "It is also entirely possible that there is a solution in Belarus that satisfies Russia and the EU (including France.) Cf. Armenia 2018". Twitter. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ Haddad, Benjamin; Judah, Ben (7 August 2020). "Europe Must Stand Up for Belarus". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
Toward Moscow, the grouping should be clear that it favors the same approach the West took toward the Armenia revolution in spring 2018: It supports democracy, but will not seek to expand either NATO or EU membership toward Belarus.
- ^ Viačorka, Franak (19 August 2020). "What Honorable Carl Bildt is offering here— absolutely dangerous and preserving Russian domination over BY. This would lead to entire russification of elites, export of corruption from Russia and unification of political systems (with pocket opposition and Russian parties)". Twitter. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
What Honorable Carl Bildt is offering here— absolutely dangerous and preserving Russian domination over BY. This would lead to entire russification of elites, export of corruption from Russia and unification of political systems (with pocket opposition and Russian parties)
- ^ "Yerevan Rejects Parallels Between Belarus Protests, Armenian Revolution". azatutyun.am. RFE/RL. 1 September 2020. from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ . Армянский музей Москвы и культуры наций. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ Soghomonyan, Anna. "This painting is iconic for me. I painted this during the fantastic Armenian Velvet Revolution in May 2018. And it was bought on a terrible day when we learned that we had lost the war to Azerbaijan. Today is again an alarming day for #Armenia. God save our country". LinkedIn. from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "ՀԵՂԱՓՈԽՈՒԹՅԱՆ ԱՐՎԵՍՏԸ". AZG Daily. from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "Թավշյա հեղափոխությունն արվեստի գործերում". www.1lurer.am (in Armenian). 6 October 2018. from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "Թավշյա հեղափոխությունը՝ Վենետիկի արվեստի բիենալեում". Mystep. from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ ""Գրողուցավի" մասին -". from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.