Eight Armenian political parties released a statement stating that Nikol Pashinyan cannot serve as caretaker prime minister. The full text of the statement is provided below.
"On April 25, Nikol Pashinyan resigned, but the claims in the resignation, in violation of all legal and political grounds, were an ultimatum for political forces and citizens of Armenia since he stated that he will continue to serve as interim prime minister of Armenia and only in this case will he agree to hold snap parliamentary elections.
We declare and warn:
A. Nikol Pashinyan must leave PM's office so that he doesn’t have any opportunity to make the state and administrative forces and institutions serve for his regeneration, otherwise, his actions will be considered seizure of power.
B ․ Pashinyan's further tenure as acting prime minister will pose a direct threat to the law and order during the upcoming elections, as a result of which we will have a weak and puppet parliament and government with low legitimacy.
C. The formation of a parliament with low legitimacy will directly lead to internal political and civil clashes and disintegration of the Republic of Armenia.
The signatories are:
PARUYR HAYRIKYAN (Union for National Self-Determination)
ARTUR BALOYAN (Justice Party)
NARINE DILBARYAN (Heritage Party)
PETROS MAKEYAN (Democratic Homeland Party)
ANDRIAS GHUKASYAN (Armenian Constructive Party)
GARNIK MARGARYAN (Homeland and Honor Party)
ARTYOM KHACHIKYAN (Hayk (Haykazunner) Party)
MIKAYEL HAYRAPETYAN (Conservative Party)”