Recently Resigned Prime Minister Speaks to Protestors Who Call Him ‘Scoundrel’

Tigran Sargsyan called on members of the pressure group Dem Em ("I am against") to negotiate not on the street but inside the government building.

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, who announced his resignation last week, earlier this afternoon met with members of Dem Em protesting a new, mandatory pension law at a demonstration in Republic Square. The protestors demanded Sargsyan to influence the State Revenue Committee to cancel electronic reporting, which doesn't allow citizens the option of not completing the field that refers to the mandatory funded pension component. Activists are asking for the introduction of  paper forms, so that each taxpayer can decide for himself whether he will make pension contributions or not.

During his address to the crowd, Sargsyan once again called for dialogue, urging members of the initiative to meet with members of government in private. "If you don't want to, then you have to be full of patience for the competent authorities to discuss this issue and respond to your questions," he said, urging protestors to clear Nalbandyan Street, which they had blocked since 2 pm. 

After his brief speech, Sargsyan left, while protestors chanted, "Scoundrel! Scoundrel!"

The activists later cleared the road — on the condition that police officers release one of their friends who they had detained earlier. Protestors dispersed, saying they are giving the government until April 12 to discuss the matter.