Armenian government dissolves Gyumri Council of Elders

YEREVAN, December 12. /ARKA/. The Armenian government decided at a meeting on Thursday to suspend the activities of the Council of Elders in Gyumri.

The next decision was to schedule snap elections in Armenia's second-largest city. It is noted that the decision will take effect on February 25.

First Primaries in Armenia

The results of Armenia's first-ever primaries were announced the day before, determining the candidate for the acting mayor of Gyumri. Sarik Minasyan was selected and will serve as mayor until the next elections.

On the Political Crisis in Gyumri

At the end of October, Gyumri Mayor Vardges Balasanyan submitted his resignation. Members of the ruling Balasanyan faction in the City Council of Elders, which he led, also resigned, submitting a protocol to this effect to the election commission.

According to media reports, the ruling faction's actions were triggered by the initiation of a criminal case against former Mayor Samvel Balasanyan and his associates. They are accused of illegally appropriating land adjacent to the historic "Black Fortress."