The opposition Hayastan parliamentary faction is discussing the issue of nominating a presidential candidate, its secretary Artsvik Minasyan told a briefing on Tuesday, adding their decision will be unveiled soon.
“We are holding discussions at this point. We will announce our decision in the near future,” he noted.
Referring to Nikol Pashinyan’s remarks that the Armenian parliament should elect a new president who will be in sync with his government and the parliament majority, Minasyan the new president cannot be only "the president of the political majority".
“The president must ensure the full implementation of the approaches stipulated by the Constitution,” he said.
Hayastan faction MP Anna Grigoryan called Pashinyan's statement on political harmony between the president, legislative and executive branches “dangerous”.
"Pashinyan wants the president to be someone who will not raise objections to any issue, will not create obstacles, will be completely silent and oblivious to the situation in the country," the lawmaker said.
President Armen Sarkissian submitted resignation late on Sunday, stating that the president does not have the necessary tools to influence the important processes concerning the domestic and foreign policy in difficult times for the country.
He is entitled to withdraw his resignation within one week.