Significant protests demanding the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have continued for a second consecutive day following a substantial weekend demonstration.

After a massive Sunday rally and an overnight vigil despite heavy rain, hundreds of demonstrators congregated outside Armenia’s parliament in Yerevan on Monday.

The protests were initiated in response to a decision made last month to cede four deserted border villages to Azerbaijan, resolving a protracted territorial dispute. The territory, originally seized by Armenia in the 1990s, was handed back last week.

The anti-Pashinyan demonstrations, also fueled by deteriorating relations with Russia, are led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, who has advocated for renewed dialogue with Moscow.

Streets and squares

Armenia and Azerbaijan have engaged in two wars over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan reclaimed last year from Armenian separatists who had held it for three decades.

Critics view the territory’s return as a betrayal, while Pashinyan argues it was necessary to prevent further conflict.

On Sunday, Galstanyan, who intends to replace Pashinyan, announced four days of protests aimed at toppling the prime minister.

“For four days, we will remain in the streets and squares, and through our resolve and determination, we will prevail,” asserted Galstanyan, urging parliament to vote for impeachment on Tuesday.

Thousands assembled outside the government offices on Sunday before advancing to the parliament house.

Should the impeachment vote proceed successfully, an interim government would be appointed and early parliamentary elections would follow.

Nonetheless, success seems improbable as opposition members lack the majority to enforce it.

Despite this, Galstanyan has temporarily abdicated his religious role to vie for the prime minister's position, though his Canadian citizenship disqualifies him from holding office under Armenian law.

Richard Giragosian, Regional Studies Center’s director in Yerevan, informed Reuters that Galstanyan's initiative stemmed from diminishing protestor numbers.

Giragosian noted that the archbishop's campaign was weakened by inadequate political expertise and an unclear plan.

The protests currently “pose no substantial threat to the administration,” Giragosian mentioned. “The real risk of escalation lies in a potential overreaction by security forces.”

Armenia’s ties with Russia have strained, with Yerevan accusing Moscow of inadequate support in its confrontation with Azerbaijan.

Relations further soured on Monday when Russia criticized Armenia’s response to its invasion of Ukraine.

After Armenian officials visited Bucha, Russia lodged a protest with Yerevan.

The visit was deemed a “blatantly unfriendly act,” stated Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, on Telegram Sunday night.