2018 Armenian Revolution — protests against Prime Minister Sersch Sargsyan and the government in Armenia in April and May 2018
A peaceful mass uprising in Armenia forced Serzh Sargsyan's resignation and brought opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan to power as prime minister.
Key Facts
- Duration
- April to May 2018
- Sargsyan resignation date
- April 23, 2018
- Pashinyan elected PM (votes)
- 59 votes on May 8, 2018
- First vote result
- 56 against, 45 for (May 1, 2018)
- Republican Party in power since
- 1999
- Movement hashtag
- #MerzhirSerzhin (#RejectSerzh)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Serzh Sargsyan's move to a third consecutive term as Armenia's dominant political figure, enabled by a constitutional shift to a parliamentary system, triggered widespread public anger. The Republican Party had held power since 1999, and many Armenians viewed Sargsyan's continuation as entrenching authoritarian rule.
Beginning in April 2018, opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan led mass street protests across Armenia under the banner #MerzhirSerzhin. On April 22 Pashinyan was briefly arrested; the next day Sargsyan resigned. After a failed first parliamentary vote on May 1, a second vote on May 8 elected Pashinyan prime minister with 59 votes.
Pashinyan's election ended Republican Party dominance and signaled a reorientation of Armenian politics. Pro-Russian figures were displaced by a reformist government that sought closer alignment with Western democratic values, prompting a reassessment of Armenia's relationship with Russia and raising hopes for European integration.
Political Outcome
Serzh Sargsyan resigned as prime minister on April 23, 2018; Nikol Pashinyan was elected prime minister by the National Assembly on May 8, 2018 with 59 votes, ending Republican Party rule.
Republican Party government under Serzh Sargsyan
Reformist government under Nikol Pashinyan (Civil Contract party)