Pashinyan tasked with forming Armenian government

Tbilisi, Aug 2 (EFE).- Armenia’s President Armen Sarksyan on Monday designated Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister, as proposed by Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party, which holds a majority of seats in Parliament.

The 46-year-old, who has been acting as interim prime minister, now has 15 days to form a government and then present his government program to the unicameral Parliament within 20 days.

“By virtue of point 1 of article 149 of the Constitution, Nikol Pashinyan is appointed Prime Minister,” the presidential decree read according to Armenian news agency Mediamax.

The opposition legislators took part in the session clad in white shirts with printed photos of two arrested lawmakers and the words “political prisoner,” as seen on images released by the Armenian agency Armenpress.

During his speech, the Armenian president called for unity.

“We will not let anyone divide our people by geographical, political or other criteria,” Sarksyan said. “The main objective of all of us should be to defend, conserve and develop our state.” EFE

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