I Do Not Share Any of Your Demands or Assessments: Pashinyan to Youth

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, does not share the demands for the resignation of Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Arayik Harutyunyan. “I do not share any of your demands or assessments,” said Pashinyan to the youth of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) who had camped overnight outside the ministry requesting the minister's resignation.

Pashinyan inquired about the specific grievances of the young protesters, noting that the reforms in the education sector are being implemented by the government, not the ministry. “If there were a thief involved, accepting bribes for entrance exams, no one would be against it, would they? Arayik Harutyunyan does not implement the educational policy of Armenia; the government does, and I addressed this issue at yesterday's government meeting,” Pashinyan said.

The protesters also expressed dissatisfaction with the minister's remarks directed at the ARF, to which Pashinyan responded that he does not believe that the minister made such offensive statements. It should be noted that the minister had stated yesterday that the disgraceful behavior exhibited by the ARF does not bring honor to one of our oldest parties. “I highly doubt that this assessment exists. Such a judgment cannot be made,” Pashinyan added.

“Mr. Prime Minister, we will fight until the end to ensure that he resigns. Get rid of him as soon as possible so that it does not fall on you as well. Resist, Mr. Prime Minister,” remarked one of the protesters.