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The Armenian opposition has announced a new rally in Yerevan on Saturday, February 20, to again demand the resignation of the current authorities after lawmakers representing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s My Step bloc said on Sunday the premier’s call for fresh parliamentary elections later in 2021 has not received support by either the parliamentary opposition or the public at large.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF, Dashnaktsutyun) Supreme Council of Armenia member Ishkhan Saghatelyan, who coordinates the activities of the Homeland Salvation Movement, outlined three reasons for the ruling bloc’s decision to abandon the plan for the conduct of snap elections.

"There are three main reasons for the refusal to hold snap elections. First, the prime minister clinging to power has realized that he has no chance of regaining power as a result of elections, it is simply impossible.

“Second, he has realized that if he goes down that path, he will have serious problems with his own team, as most of the "backpacks" that appeared in the parliament by chance have felt the danger of losing their mandates irreversibly.

“Third, they think that the movement has died down, and in case the people are distracted by false agendas for a little while, they will manage to get away with what they have done,” the opposition figure said.

“Thus, they have decided to maintain their grip on power by force, trying to strengthen it by various methods. But they are gravely mistaken, because populist traitors can deceive the people once, but never twice.

“Now the citizens who hoped to get rid of the authorities through elections will take to the streets. Only then will the "proud courageous men” feel the power of the public demand.

“The upcoming rally will take place in the Liberty Square on February 20, at 3pm,” Saghatelyan said.

Also, he said none of the opposition parties, including the parliamentary forces, opposed snap elections. Moreover, they highlighted the need for their conduct, at the same time outlining a clear-cut roadmap for the process, which included Pashinyan’s resignation and formation of an interim government.