Armenia’s Prime Minister Resigns

YEREVAN — Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian unexpectedly submitted his resignation on Thursday, which was accepted by President Serzh Sarkisian, Spokesman for the Republican Party of Armenia, Vice-President of the National Assembly Edward Sharmazanov announced following the Party’s plenary session.

Sharmazanov said Sarkisian had filed his resignation a month ago, but given that the Constitutional Court was still reviewing Armenia’s pension reform, the President had asked him to continue his duties.

“The prime minister said that it is his personal decision,” Sharmazanov told a news conference after the meeting. “He thanked all of his colleagues, all government members, and all HHK representatives for the joint work and asked us to grant his request.”

The ruling party representative refused to be drawn on reasons for the move. He insisted only that it has nothing to do with a vote of no confidence in Sarkisian’s cabinet which Armenia’s four main opposition parties planned to propose in the parliament on April 28.

The premier confirmed his resignation on his Facebook page. He too gave no reasons for the move. “I wish the new government productive work for the good of the country,” he wrote.

Under the Armenian constitution, all government ministers must also step down if the prime minister is dismissed or decides to quit.

Tigran Sarkisian, 54, was appointed prime minister shortly after Serzh Sarkisian took over as Armenia’s president in April 2008. He was the governor of the country’s Central Bank until then.