Former MP calls for Pashinyan's 'immediate' ouster

Former Armenian lawmaker Samvel Farmanyan on Thursday called for the immediate removal of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan from power, urging opposition forces to unite behind a single candidate and impeach him.

In a Facebook post, Farmanyan argued that Pashinyan poses a greater threat to Armenia’s statehood and national security than external challenges facing the country.

He cited rising regional tensions, claiming that Azerbaijan and Turkey appear to get involved in military operations against Iran, and warned of possible consequences for Armenia.

Farmanyan called on opposition parties to “come together immediately”, nominate a joint candidate for prime minister and remove Pashinyan through impeachment in the National Assembly.

“What elections? What June?” he wrote, dismissing the prospect of waiting for scheduled political processes and questioning what would remain of the country by then.

He urged the swift formation of a government of “national accord” to give Armenia “at least a chance to survive”.