Nagorno-Karabakh president Arayik Harutyunyan has formally submitted today his resignation letter to the Artsakh National Assembly.
"Guided by Article 98 of the Constitution of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), I submit my resignation from the post of the President of the Republic to the National Assembly," reads Harutyunyan's letter addressed to parliament speaker David Ishkhanyan.
Arayik Harutyunyan announced his decision to resign on Thursday. In a written statement he said Artsakh needs a new leadership to better cope with grave challenges facing it almost three years after the war with Azerbaijan in the autumn of 2020.
Harutyunyan was elected as President of the Republic of Artsakh on April 14, 2020. Prior to that, he held the post of Artsakh State Minister.
Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed territory, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but most of it is governed by the unrecognised Republic of Artsakh (also known as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)) since the first Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Lachin corridor, the sole road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia has been blocked by Azerbaijanis since December 12, 2022. The protesters demanded access to mining sites in areas under the control of the de facto authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Just 10 days before his resignation, Harutyunyan signed into law changes that would allow parliament to appoint his successor.
The changes state that during martial law, if a president leaves office early then parliament should appoint a replacement to carry out the remainder of their term. Nagorno-Karabakh has remained under martial law since the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. Haratunyan’s current term was due to end in 2025.
Parliament is expected to elect the new president within 10 days of the incumbent president’s resignation.
Harutyunyan's resignation also comes soon after Russian–Armenian billionaire and former state minister Ruben Vardanyan demanded he step down.
On 21 August, Vardanyan accused Harutyunyan of promising to resign but not keeping his word.
Source: BMG and News Agencies
