Armenia Rocked By Protests Over The Appointment Of The President As Prime Minister

Reuters: Armenian opposition demands early election on eighth day of protests

YEREVAN (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Armenian opposition supporters rallied on Friday for an eighth consecutive day against the appointment of ex-president Serzh Sarksyan as the new prime minister and demanded an early parliamentary election.

Parliament voted on Tuesday to allow Sarksyan, who had served as president of the small ex-Soviet republic from 2008 until this month, to become premier, in a job switch his opponents say show he is clinging to power.

Under a revised constitution approved by referendum in 2015, the prime minister now has most power in Armenia while the presidency has become largely ceremonial.

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WNU editor: In the past week I have not given the coverage that this story deserves. These protests have paralyzed the Armenian capital, and the opposition have made it very clear that they will continue to protest until their demands are met. The police crackdown is also intensifying, and what first started as peaceful protests are now becoming violent.

More News On The Unrest In Armenia

40,000 gather in Armenia to demand leader’s resignation -- AP
Hundreds held in Armenia as protests enter eighth day -- AFP
Armenian Demonstrators Wrestle With Police as Anti-PM Protests Enter 8th Day -- Yahoo News
Armenian Opposition Leader Rejects ‘Dialogue,’ Demands Sarkisian Resign -- RFE
Armenian opposition leader unlikely to accept dialogue — expert -- TASS
Yerevan paralyzed by civil unrest -- EurAsia Daily
Over 230 detained in Armenia as mass opposition protests continue (PHOTOS) -- RT
Armenia: The Winds of Change, or Armenian Attempt at Velvet Revolution? -- Georgia Today
Armenian Protests Smell Like Teen Spirit -- RFE
Armenia's unpopular president makes himself prime minister -- The Economist