Excluded from the government, Nikol Pashinyan calls for general strike

Roads, airports, subways and railways have been blocked today after parliament failed to pick opposition leader as prime minister. Whilst Russia has remained neutral, Azerbaijan warns that its neighbour is on the verge of a "civil war".

Erevan (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has called for a general strike on Wednesday after the governing Republican Party voted against his election as interim prime minister.

"We will block the streets, the airports, the metro, the railway, everything that can be blocked," Mr Pashinyan said addressing tens of thousands of supporters massed in Yerevan's Republic Square. "Our struggle,” he added, “is a struggle of non-violence, it is a peaceful act of civil disobedience."

Pashinyan spoke right after leaving parliament, where during nine hours of debate, some MPs accused him of bringing chaos to the streets and questioned whether he was up to the job of prime minister.

Pashinyan, who had the support of other parties, got 45 votes, needed 53 to secure a majority in the 105-seat chamber.

The Republican Party, led by Serzh Sargsyan, who resigned on 23 April under popular pressure, seems to have turned its back on a secret agreement, going against the widespread desire among Armenians to see an end to Republican rule. The party has been accused, along with its leader, of corruption, nepotism and treason.

The "velvet revolution", which has swept the country since the end of March, is viewed with a certain neutrality by Russia, Armenia's historic ally. For Moscow, which has a military base in the country, what is happening in Armenia is a domestic issue.

By contrast, Azerbaijan, which has been involved with Armenia in a conflict over Nagorny Karabakh, has expressed fears that the country is on the eve of a "civil war".

• armenia
• nikol pashinyan
• russia
• azerbaijan
• velvet revolution
• protest
• democracy