Armenian President Armen Sarkissian announces his resignation

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has announced his resignation. In a statement on the presidential website he said the Constitution does not give the head of state real tools to influence domestic and foreign policy at a difficult time for the country.

"We live in a parliamentary country, but the president cannot influence war or peace," Sarkissian said. He also expressed hope that constitutional changes would be made in the future.

Sarkissian was elected by parliament in 2018 for a seven-year term. In recent months he repeatedly disagreed with the government, including during the 2021 crisis with the General Staff.

Under the Constitution, a new president must be elected by the National Assembly within 35 days.