Title: Protests in Armenia put pressure on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian
Introduction :
Since the capitulation of the secessionists of Nagorno-Karabakh in the face of the Azerbaijani offensive, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has faced a wave of anger and protest. Accused by the opposition of having abandoned Artsakh by refusing to send troops to support the separatists, Pashinian is facing demonstrations in Yerevan, the country’s capital. This article will explore the tense situation in Armenia and the challenges the Prime Minister faces.
Demonstrations in Yerevan:
For two days, demonstrators have been gathering in front of the government headquarters in Yerevan to demand the resignation of Nikol Pashinian. Their anger intensified after the Azerbaijani offensive and the capitulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh secessionists. Clashes broke out between demonstrators and the police, with attempts to attack the government building.
Pressure on Nikol Pashinian:
The demonstrations and calls for resignation put Nikol Pashinian under increased political pressure. This situation is all the more critical for him, because it is not the first time that he has faced protest. In 2020, after the defeat in Nagorno-Karabakh against Azerbaijan, part of the population called him a traitor and criticized him for having accepted the loss of territories under Armenian control.
The opposition without alternative:
Despite the criticism against Pashinian, the opposition does not really have an alternative program to propose. Since the end of the war in 2020, its only demand has been a change of power. Calls to remove the prime minister and create a national committee to lead the movement remain vague and do not offer concrete solutions to Armenia’s current problems.
Political uncertainty:
Nikol Pashinian’s popularity has declined significantly in recent years, but the opposition is unable to offer a credible alternative. Armenians find themselves torn between sadness, denial and helplessness, while disinformation and manipulation from Russia exacerbate the situation. The early legislative elections scheduled for June 2021 could bring political uncertainty to the country.
Conclusion :
The demonstrations in Armenia are putting pressure on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, who is accused of having abandoned Artsakh in the face of the Azerbaijani offensive. Despite calls for resignation, the opposition has no real alternative program to propose. Armenia is facing a delicate political and diplomatic situation, where uncertainty reigns. It remains to be seen what the outcome of this crisis will be and how the country will manage to recover from these traumatic events.