YEREVAN—Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian on Sunday walked out from a meeting with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan saying that a political alliance that has received seven to eight percent of the votes cannot speak on behalf of the entire population.

“[A political] alliance that has won seven to eight percent of votes does not have the right to speak on behalf of the entire population and I no longer want to continue this discussion with you if you do not accept the government’s legal demands. Good bye,” said Sarkisian before walking out.

On Saturday it was announced that the two had agreed to the meeting, which took place at 10 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel on Republic Square, the main site of ongoing demonstrations—in their 9th day—by thousands who are protesting Sarkisian’s ongoing rule. The meeting was announced after President Armen Sarkissian met with Pashinian during the protest on Saturday and held a meeting with the prime minister separately.

At the beginning of the tense meeting, which lasted less than five minutes, Sarkisian reiterated his demand to Pashinyan that the demonstrations are halted that everyone return to the rule of law, after which Pashinyan told the prime minister that he should immediately tender his
resignation.

Pashinyan told Sarkisian that he did not fully comprehend the realities in the country and that the leadership of Armenia is now in the hands of the people.

Sarkisian told Pashinyan that he had not taken lessons from the events of March 1, 2008, when 10 protesters died during demonstrations after that year’s presidential elections, during which Sarkisian was elected to his first term as president. The prime minister also added that Pashinyan bears all responsibility for whatever happens next.

After Sarkisian walked out, Pashinyan told reporters that the rally would continue at 7 p.m. on Sunday, only to emerge from the Marriott Hotel where hundreds of his supporters were gathered, prompting the rally and demonstration to begin, with Pashinyan leading the crowd to the Erebuni neighborhood of Yerevan.

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