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Armenia Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan resigns amid protests

Armenia Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan resigns amid protests
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Monday, 23 April, 2018, 22:40

Armenia's newly elected prime minister has resigned following days of protests against his government, according to the politician's website.In the past 10 days, thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets in the capital, Yerevan, accusing Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan of corruption and authoritarian rule.On Monday, Sargsyan said he would adhere to the demands of the protesters and step down. "[Opposition leader] Nikol Pashinyan was right. I was wrong. This situation requires solutions, but I won't participate in them. I leave the post of this country's prime minister," a statement on Sargsyan's website said.

"The movement on the streets is against my office. I will fulfil your claim," according to the statement.

Sargsyan's statement did not reveal when he will leave office.

Sargsyan, 63, had promised not to run for the post of prime minister having served two consecutive five-year terms as president, but was formally nominated by Armenia's ruling Republican Party earlier this month.

Armenia amended its constitution to change the government from a presidential to a parliamentary system in a 2015 referendum, making the presidency largely ceremonial and strengthening the office of the prime minister, a position which is not constrained by term limits.