Prosperous Armenia party leader to seek president Sargsyan’s resignation, calls for popular mobilization

YEREVAN, February 13. / ARKA /. The leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan told senior members of the party today he will seek the resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan and called for a popular mobilization.

Tsarukyan’s announcement comes after a Thursday meeting of the executive board of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia where president Sargsyan lashed out at his former coalition partner describing him as ‘a scourge for the country who lacks intelligence, skills and education to govern Armenia.’

Speaking at the Thursday meeting president Sargsyan told  prime minister Hovik Abrahamyan  to instruct corresponding bodies to thoroughly investigate the veracity of  “unverified reports” implicating Tsarukian in large-scale tax evasion. 

In retaliation to Sargsyan’s crackdown, the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party said today the current situation in the country requires solution saying  also the only solution is a complete change of power through extraordinary presidential elections.

"I know that it has been the main demand of the people. For a long time I tried to find a way to meet this demand without shocks. However, it is the authorities who have chosen the path of turmoil," said Tsarukyan to senior member of his party, calling on all to prepare for the fight.

"When three thousand people take to street the authorities are forced to change law, and if all the people take to street we will achieve change of government. I call for a national mobilization for the sole purpose – to exploit all political and legal ways (permanent rallies, marches, demonstrations, civic disobedience, etc.) to press for Serzh Sargsyan's resignation ... The current authorities must immediately leave, and we have to close this disgraceful and shameful page in our history. Armenia must be cleared of this unpleasant atmosphere «said Tsarukyan.

According to him, the biggest case of his life now "is the liberation of Armenia from this evil in the face of the authorities."

President Sargsyan said yesterday he will convene a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss  also rumors  that Tsarukyan has set up a “mechanism for a professional cover-up of many crimes.” 

Prosperous Armenia is the second largest force in the parliament controlling 36 seats. It was part of coalition governments from 2007 to 2012. –