Ex-Yerevan mayor insists on Pashinyan’s ouster

The new party set up by former Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan held its founding congress on Wednesday.

Marutyan, who was ousted as mayor in a no confidence vote initiated by the ruling Civil Contract party in 2021, was elected chairman of the party called “New Power” (Nor Uzh).

The newly established party is linked to European social democracy with its ideology.

“The party is social democratic, and we will cooperate with all forces sharing the same ideology. Meanwhile, we will not set restrictions on cooperation with forces that sincerely seek the development of the country,” Marutyan told reporters.

Also, he expressed readiness to lead any street protests people could hold in the future.

Speaking at the founding congress of the party, the ex-mayor insisted on the ouster of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his team.

“With the undisguised interference of external forces and the consent of the current authorities in Armenia, an attempt is being made not only to change the legal documents put at the core of the Third Republic of Armenia, but also to fundamentally distort the attributes of our political and cultural identity,” he stated.

“The incumbent authorities do not inspire any confidence. Nikol Pashinyan and his team have nothing more to do and must leave,” Marutyan said.