Police took up positions in the centre of the Armenian capital Yerevan on Wednesday as tens of thousands of people protested against the ruling elite and the acting prime minister suggested new parliamentary elections to defuse the political crisis. Mr Karapetyan suggested on Wednesday that early parliamentary elections be held so as to test the level of popular support for Mr Pashinyan and his potential viability as prime minister. “What does ‘people’s candidate’ mean?” Mr Karapetyan asked at a news conference. In a sign the unrest could already be affecting the economy, Mr Pashinyan said protesters had blocked a customs post at the border with neighbouring Georgia. Start talksSeparately, President Armen Sarkissian said he would start talks with political forces to try to resolve the crisis.

Source: The Irish Times April 25, 2018 17:37 UTC