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Armenia Election: minister of labor steps down, to run on Lusavor Hayastan party platform

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Caretaker minister of labor and social affairs Mane Tandilyan has announced her resignation.

“By assuming the position of minister of labor and social affairs, as a Cabinet member, I for the first time took the oath to duly implement my obligations assumed before the people, to uphold the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Armenia, contribute to the sovereignty and protection of interests of the Republic of Armenia and to remain committed to the high title of Cabinet member,” she said on Facebook, adding that during the 6 months in office she was guided by high responsibility with the aim of contributing to reforms in the sector and welfare of citizens.

“The basis of any step, any initiative was the human, as the highest value,” she said.

“After the revolution I was entrusted to lead the most difficult, and at the same time the most interesting and multilayered sector”.

“The greatest appreciation of my work is the simple gratitude of people and their smiles, which makes someone happier,” she said.

“Today I am resigning as caretaker minister with the purpose of participating in the National Assembly election by the Lusavor Hayastan party list. The upcoming election are of exclusive significance for Armenia – through these elections a parliament reflecting the real voice of the people will finally be developed,” she said, thanking the Prime Minister for the trust.

She also thanked her colleagues in the government for productive work.

“In case of receiving the vote of confidence of the people, I am ready to continue my political activity as Member of Parliament,” she said.

 

Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation is scheduled for October 16. Arman Yeghoyan:

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It is expected that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will resign on October 16. Spokesperson of the RA Prime Minister Arman Yeghoyan said this in an interview with “Armenpress”.

“It is expected that tomorrow the Prime Minister will resign,” he said.

In answer to the question if the Prime Minister will resign during the special session convened by the government, Yeghoyan replied: “I can not answer that question. it may be possible within one hour after the session, perhaps 7 hours later. ”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has resigned in an interview with France 24 TV. Pashinyan said that he is going to resign on October 16 for the early parliamentary elections, in which case the elections will be held on December 9 or 10.

Protesters demanding resignation of Garegin II enter administrative building of Holy Echmiadzin

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“Shortly ago, members of a well-known initiative entered the administrative building of the Holy Echmiadzin, with an obscene behavior, with his usual ultimatum demands and provocative actions. They are absolutely not inclined to listen to the calls of the clergy to stop such unacceptable and reprehensible behavior,” Father Vahram Melikyan, director of the information system of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, wrote on his Facebook page, adding that at 12:03 the members of the initiative are trying to use violence.

Vahram Qahana Melikyan

5 hours ago

Քիչ առաջ հայտնի նախաձեռնության անդամները ներխուժեցին Մայր Աթոռ Սուրբ Էջմիածնի Դիվանատան շենք՝ անվայելուչ պահվածքով, իրենց հատուկ վերջնագրային պահանջներով ու սադրիչ գործողություններով։ Նրանք որևէ կերպ տրամադիր չեն ունկնդիր լինելու եկեղեցականների հորղորներին դադարեցնելու նման անընդունելի և դատապարտելի վարվելակերպը։

12։03 նախաձեռնության անդամները փորձում են բռնություն գործադրել։

Armenia: more religious leaders are joining in the Protest, demanding the resignation of Karekin II, staged in Etchmiadzin

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Protest actions, demanding the resignation of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, are staged in Etchmiadzin. more religious leaders are joining the protest

According to the correspondent of Armenian News-NEWS.am, protesters gathered near the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

 

Protest march held in Yerevan, demanding resignation of the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II

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YEREVAN.- A protest march was held in Yerevan, demanding resignation of the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, the press service of the Armenian Police reported.

Participants of the march headed to the center of Yerevan, urging people to join them.

Yesterday Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II invited the participants of a protest at the yard of St. Katoghike and St. Anna church to visit Mother See Holy Etchmiadzin on June 7 to meet with him and Archbishops. As it was noted, Catholicos has no intention to resign.

 

Armenian Revolution leader Nikol Pashinyan says to meet PM to discuss his ‘resignation’

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Photo illustration by gagrule.net

Armenian anti-government Revolution leader Nikol Pashinyan said he would meet Prime Minister and ex-president Serzh Sarkisian on Sunday, after nine days of mass demonstrations against an alleged power-grab.

Tens of thousands of people earlier flocked to Republic Square in the capital Yerevan to protest against new premier Sarkisian’s rule, according to AFP journalists at the scene.

“I will meet Serzh Sarkisian to discuss the conditions of his resignation and of (a) peaceful transfer of power,” Pashinyan said in a video address published on his Facebook page. He said the meeting was scheduled for Yerevan’s Marriott hotel at 10 am (0600 GMT).

Sarkisian’s office has not yet confirmed the meeting.

Armenia’s political crisis deepened Saturday — the ninth day of anti-government demonstrations — with Pashinyan insisting he would only discuss the exit of the country’s newly elected prime minister.

“We are only ready to discuss the conditions of his departure,” news agencies quoted Pashinyan as saying, rejecting Sarkisian’s appeal for “political dialogue”.

“Serzh Sarkisian doesn’t understand the new situation that has emerged in the recent days… the Armenia and Yerevan he knows does not exist anymore,” he told protestors.

Opposition supporters are angry over Sarkisian’s efforts to remain in power, after he became prime minister last week, following a decade serving as president.

Demonstrators waved Armenian flags and blocked streets, disrupting traffic in the capital. Police said they made 84 arrests on Saturday afternoon, and more than 230 people were arrested on Friday.

Rallies were also planned in other cities such as Gyumri, Ararat and Artashat.

President Armen Sarkisian — no relation to Serzh — on Saturday afternoon met Pashinyan at the demonstration, an AFP journalist said.

Flanked by bodyguards President Sarkisian shook hands with the opposition leader and the pair spoke for around ten minutes.

Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian had earlier sought discussions with the protest leader.

“I am deeply concerned about the unfolding internal political events. In order to avoid irreversible consequences, I call on deputy Nikol Pashinyan to sit at the table of political dialogue and negotiation,” the 63-year-old leader said in a statement.

At a 30,000 strong rally in Yerevan on Friday evening, Pashinyan laid out his demands for the authorities.

“First, Sarkisian resigns. Second, parliament elects a new prime minister that represents the people.

“Third, it forms a temporary government. Fourth, they schedule parliamentary elections. We will enter negotiations around these demands,” he said, calling Serzh Sarkisian a “political corpse”.

“The whole world can see this is a people’s velvet revolution, which very soon will be victorious,” Pashinyan told the rally.

– Protests enter ninth day –

Demonstrators held up placards reading “Sarkisian is a dictator”.

“I believe we will win this time because when the youth is on the street the police can do nothing,” Hovik Haranyan, a 25-year-old protester blocking traffic, told AFP.

“Our generation has the right to live in a functioning country,” he added.

Opposition supporters have criticised the 63-year-old leader over poverty, corruption and the influence of powerful oligarchs.

Armenia opposition movement leader MP: Topic of discussion can only be PM Sargsyan’s resignation

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YEREVAN. – The topic of discussion with the authorities can only be the resignation of Serzh Sargsyan.

“My Step” initiative leader, opposition Civil Contract Party Political Council member, and National Assembly (NA) of Armenia “Way Out” (Yelk) Faction head Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday told aforesaid to reporters, during the “My Step” march in capital city Yerevan.

He noted this commenting on Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal to him to immediately sit at the negotiating table.

“After that [Sargsyan’s stepping down], we will discuss the terms,” Pashinyan said. “Moreover, these terms shall be acceptable not to me, but to the people.”

Also, he stated that Sargsyan has no control over the current situation and his obstinacy threatens Armenia.

“If they [the police] take, apprehend, arrest or detain me, I call on Armenia’s citizens to go out and close off all the roads, block all the police departments, all public administration buildings,” Pashinyan stated adding that his arrest cannot stop the process.

As reported earlier, Serzh Sargsyan issued a statement and called on Nikol Pashinyan to immediately “sit at the table of political dialogue and negotiations,” while the police threatened to stop the rally.

Nikol Pashinyan and his supporters are staging protests in capital city Yerevan ever since April 13, and by marching, holding rallies, as well as blocking streets and squares. They protest against ex-President Serzh Sargsyan being elected Prime Minister of Armenia.

As a result of the clashes during these demonstrations, 46 people—including Pashinyan—were injured, and police detained several dozen people, including minors.

In addition, a criminal case has been filed into the protesters’ bursting into the Public Radio of Armenia building and regarding an incident that occurred at an intersection in downtown Yerevan.

Ex-President Serzh Sargsyan was elected Prime Minister at Tuesday’s NA special session, and by a vote of 77 for and 18 against.

 

Crowds march in London to demand Cameron resignation following Panama Papers leak

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Camron go homeA massive protest has gathered in front of PM David Cameron’s residence at Downing Street 10, calling for his resignation. The rally follows the so-called Panama Papers leak, which among others exposed the offshore dealings of Cameron’s late father.

The massive and largely peaceful rally right in front of 10 Downing Street saw hundreds of protesters gathering while shouting “Resign, resign!” 

“Cameron must go!” and “Tories out!” read the placards held by the demonstrators, RUPTLY’s live feed showed. A huge paper pig was erected by the protesters, with Cameron’s image pinned to its face.

RT UK’s Laura Smith talked to some of the people who had taken to the streets to join the protest. “A lot of people feel they have lost confidence in the government,” one man said, with another adding that “this is a symptom of a much more important disease, our economic system is broken … as it favors a huge tax avoidance.” 

The #ResignCameron rally then moved on to Trafalgar Square, where thousands of people joined in the call for the prime minister to go.

HUMAN RIGHTS Surprise resignation of Armenian Ombudsman

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arton120886-480x270Karen Andreasian, the Ombudsman of Armenia, resigned unexpectedly yesterday, less than three months after accusing individuals linked to the government to conduct a smear campaign against him.

Andreasian’s office announced his resignation in a short statement on his Facebook page. He gave no specific reasons. The Ombudsman for Human Rights has just thanked his staff and expressed the hope that “the protection of human rights will remain a priority for our state and society.”

“There will be no further comment,” the statement concluded.

Andreasian, ombudsman for almost five years, did not respond to telephone solicitations in the hours following the announcement.

For many, this resignation is definitely linked with his recent bitter conflict with several parliamentarians representing the Republican Party (HHK). They attacked Andreasian late October, while presenting to the National Assembly an annual report on the work of his office.

HHK MP Samvel Farmanian launched a particularly virulent attack against Andreasian, calling the report of 500 pages of “sloppy” and “toothless”. Farmanian, who had previously worked as press secretary of President Serzh Sargsyan, accused the defender of human rights wasting taxpayers’ money and ignore the “reforms” implemented by the government.

Galust Sahakian, President of Parliament and senior HHK, had defended Farmanian.

Andreasian had refuted the accusations in Parliament, accusing Farmanian to be controlled by someone. He declined to give names, only explaining that he was not referring to President Sargsyan.

According to the Constitution of Armenia recently amended the next Ombudsman will be elected by Parliament. He or she must be approved by at least three-fifths of its 131 members.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016,
Claire © armenews.com

Greek PM Tsipras Announces Resignation

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1023171383Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced his resignation on Thursday to open the possibility of early general elections.

Alexis Tsipras said that the January 25 mandate he received “had exhausted its limit, and now people should decide anew,” adding that he “doubted the agreement with creditors was enough”.Earlier on Thursday a source in the Greek government told Sputnik the decision to hold an early election was taken after more than 35 legislators voted against the third international bailout package.

By June 22, the Greek Government was forced to pass laws to fundamentally tighten Greece’s legal and banking system. This was a precondition the troika demanded, because the Greek banking and regulatory system had been in need of reforms for decades.

However, Tsipras’ party has been split over the conditions and he is under severe pressure at home from many who say he has given in to the hated Troika and has gone against the fundamental principle of his party, which is to fight against the tough austerity measures.

Many feel that the pension and tax reforms that Tsipras signed up to are too much and that other reforms — including shops opening on Sundays, longer opening hours, changes to pharmacy ownership, new milk and bakery rules and the sale of state assets, including ports and mass privatization — are a step too far.

His threat of a snap referendum could plunge Greece into another crisis, if the party goes against what Tsipras agreed with the troika in return for a third bailout.