YEREVAN (A.W.)—Earlier today, Serge Sarkisian resigned from his post as Armenia’s Prime Minister after nearly two weeks of protests, demonstrations, and acts of civil disobedience across Yerevan and other parts of the country calling for his resignation. Below is the Armenian Weekly’s English translation of Sarkisian’s statement of resignation.
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Dear Compatriots,
I appeal to all citizens of the Republic of Armenia,
To the adults and my dear youth,
To women and men,
I turn to the streets—to those who called to “Merjir Serjin” (“Reject Serge”), to those who stood day and night, to those who got to their workplaces with much difficulty because of the closed streets, and to all those who did their duty.
I turn to those, who were following live streams and those who bravely ensured the public’s security day in and day out.
I turn to our brave soldiers and officers standing at our borders, I turn to my brothers in arms,
I turn to my fellow party members, to all political forces and figures.
I turn to you as the country’s leader for the last time.
Nikol Pashinyan was right. I was wrong. There are a few solutions to the current situation, but I am not one of them. I am resigning as the country’s leader, and leaving the post of Armenia’s Prime Minister.
The movement in the street is against my leadership, and so I am fulfilling your demand.
[I wish] peace, harmony, and good judgement for our country.
Thank you.
To my people in Armenia. BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO. It can be done without shading blood. We, as Aremanins around the world are very proud of you, YOU DID IT!
Ketshe Hayastan and hay jogovoord!
Heghine Boloyan
SAN Francisco, California,
If this is a harbinger of things to come under this so-called Parliamentary government ,then we are in deep trouble! We’ll have nothing but chaos every 6 months just because somebody doesn’t like somebody.The majority in the parliament chooses the Prime Minister,and It’s only through a vote of no confidence that a new government will be formed,not by demonstrators in the streets. I guess we are far from being politically mature to have a parliamentary system!
I had one of the best happy hours of my life in celebration of victory of Armenian united victory over injustice.
In front of Glendale city hall tonight we had a warm family union with fellow Armenians and I hope this will encourage us to march strongly for truth, justice, freedom and righteousness. BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO indeed. Oh that little angel girl recited Hovaness Toomanian’s poem. I hope I can find it on youtube. Bravo bales….
Nikol and gang are scoundrels. The Armenian street is too emotional and very illiterate when it comes to politics. This combination is a match made in hell. The political situation in Yerevan will prove detrimental to the long term health and well being of the Armenian state. This all also proves beyond any doubt that we Armenians are self-destructive peasants and that we as a people deserve the hardships that have befallen our homeland. The only way to fix what was broken this week is for serious men backed by Moscow, like Karen Karapetyan, to step up and take control. If this is not done, Armenia will suffer terribly in the coming months/years and we will most probably lose major parts of Artsakh.
God save Armenia from Democracy and its self-destructive peasantry.