The idea was floated late last month by two well-known critics of the government believed to be his supporters. It was backed by Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) but dismissed by the Hayastan alliance, the second opposition group represented in the parliament.
Senior Hayastan members argued that the two opposition groups lack the votes to even force a debate on a motion of no confidence in the National Assembly controlled by Pashinian’s Civil Contract. Some of them claimed that the long-shot initiative is a ploy designed to undercut Hayastan’s top leader, former President Robert Kocharian. The latter described it as “unserious” and “unrealistic” in an interview publicized on Monday.
Nevertheless, Sarkisian made a case for the motion of no confidence, saying that it is urgently needed to prevent Pashinian from making more territorial concessions to Azerbaijan in the coming weeks. He reiterated his party’s readiness to nominate Kocharian’s candidacy for the post of prime minister.
The opposition would have to win over at least 18 pro-government deputies of the 107-seat parliament in order to oust the government. Sarkisian did not clarify just how he thinks it can trigger so many defections.
“Who can guarantee that this won’t happen?” he told journalists.
The no-confidence vote sought by Sarkisian’s party has added to simmering tensions between the two opposition forces. Their senior members traded bitter recriminations earlier this year. In particular, they accused each other of helping Pashinian come to power in 2018.