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Armenian "Velvet" Revolution

Armenian “Velvet” Revolution

“REVOLUTION” WORD

The word “Revolution” comes from Latin “revolutio” which means “a turn around”. The revolution, in political science, is a change in political power and political organization, which occurs when the population wants to bring their freedom from the current government by protesting against it.

For centuries revolution has been an activity that creates destructions. Many politicians avoided it as it may cause serious economic and social problems in a country. In very few cases revolution was peaceful.

As in many countries, in Armenia also, the revolution was an expected action. As many citizens didn’t want the current government to rule the country, especially the president Serzh Sargsyan (who would become the prime minister during the parliamentary election), they came out of their houses to protest against him and his party.
For several months Armenian people didn’t have the right leader who would suggest a vivid plan. This time Nikol Pashinyan took that responsibility to direct the people. He is a politician, deputy, and journalist.

Armenian "Velvet" Revolution

Armenian “Velvet” Revolution

How did it start?

On March 31, 2018, at 12 o’clock in the Vardanants Square of Gyumri started the campaign having a name of “My step”. Its purpose was the prevention of Serzh Sargsyan’s third term ruling of the country.

Nikol Pashinyan took the first step, and Gyumri-Yerevan 14-days campaign started. During 14 days, they passed around 200 km only by walking. The opposition deputy had a big hope that became a reality. After 14-days, on the 13th April Nikol Pashinyan reached to Azatutyun square in Yerevan, Armenia. From here the range of the civil disobediences started.

Armenian "Velvet" Revolution

Armenian “Velvet” Revolution

The demonstrators closed the streets, blocked buildings, many companies, were on strike, lots of students joined the demonstrators. Initially, there were fewer people, but after a few days, more and more people from different parts of the country joined the demonstrators.

In the beginning, according to the plan, they would prevent the prime minister election of Serzh Sargsyan. But when the day came the demonstrators couldn’t act according to the plan. Serzh Sargsyan was elected RA Prime Minister at RA National Assembly. The demonstration, strikes, blocking the buildings were going on.
On April 23, the new elected prime minister resigned.

Armenian "Velvet" Revolution

Armenian “Velvet” Revolution

Everyone, in every part of the country, was happy as they considered it as their victory. Dances, singings and other actions that come from the happiness were spread over the streets.

But after this, a new long way started for Armenians. They demanded the resignation of Karen Karapetyan – the prime minister after Serzh Sargsyan – and the Republican Party of Armenia.

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Armenian "Velvet" Revolution

Armenian “Velvet” Revolution

The “Velvet” Revolution

The leader Nikol Pashinyan called the revolution “velvet”. And really, it was peaceful, clean and free of destructions. There was a matter of choosing a prime minister whom the citizens would propose.

And they, as well as deputies proposed Nikol Pashinyan to be the prime minister. Mr. Pashinyan announced that he is ready to take that responsibility.

In the Republic Square, there was a big crowd on 1st of May. Thousands of people were waiting for the results of the election of prime minister. Everyone was watching the session occurring in the RA National Assembly that lasted more than 8 hours. They were sure that Nikol Pashinyan would be elected, but it didn’t happen. The citizens wondered, but they were not disappointed.

Armenian "Velvet" Revolution

Armenian “Velvet” Revolution

As atatutyun.am writes:

“The Armenian parliament failed to elect opposition leader Nikol Pashinian prime minister on Tuesday despite his warnings about continued unrest in the country.

Pashinian was backed by only 45 members of the 105-seat National Assembly following a lengthy and heated debate on his bid to succeed Serzh Sarkisian as premier. He needed at least 53 votes.

Fifty-five other lawmakers representing Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) voted against him in line with a decision announced by the HHK leadership shortly before the vote. HHK leaders said during the debate that Pashinian is not fit to govern the country. They also pointed to his lack of government experience and questioned his ability to serve as commander-in-chief of Armenia’s armed forces.”

Armenian "Velvet" Revolution

Armenian “Velvet” Revolution

The next day more citizens came to the Republic Square to make their voices heard. For 2 weeks there were no lessons in the universities and in many schools. From morning till the night demonstrators contended. At 7 PM the meeting started.

At the end of the meeting, Nikol Pashinyan announced, that from 3th of May the strikes, blocking and demonstrations will be over till the 8th of May. So, everyone, on the next day did how the leader said.

What to Expect?

So, on 8th of May, there will be the second election of the prime minister. Nikol Pashinyan is the only candidate. The citizens are sure that this time the Republican Party of Armenia will support Pashinyan to be the prime minister.

There will be a meeting on 8th of May. The citizens decided to wear white clothes as a symbol of peace.

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