Armenia crisis: Opposition leader Pashinyan faces PM vote

Armenia's parliament is set to decide whether to back opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as the new prime minister, in a watershed moment for the country.

Mr Pashinyan, who has led weeks of anti-government protests that forced former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan to resign, is the only candidate.

Armenia's ruling Republican Party had earlier said it would not put up a candidate, in a bid to ease tensions.

But Mr Pashinyan has indicated the party may seek to halt his bid.

Mr Sargsyan, who had served 10 years as president, stepped down on 23 April just days after being sworn in as PM. He had been accused of trying to cling to power.

All 47 opposition members of parliament have pledged to vote for Mr Pashinyan, but he will need votes from some Republican Party deputies to win the majority he needs in the 105-seat house. The Republican Party has dominated Armenian politics since 1999. Mr Pashinyan, who has said he will rid Armenia of corruption, poverty and nepotism, called on his supporters to rally as parliament convened.