Supporters of opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian react in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The Armenian opposition who is nearly certain to become the country's prime minister says he will not seek political revenge in the wake of the past month of tensions. Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen prime minister by parliament on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) - The Latest on Armenian politics (all times local):
1:40 p.m.
Armenia's parliament has election opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian as the country's new prime minister.
Pashinian spearheaded weeks of largely peaceful protests that gripped the country in political turmoil.
His election by a 59-42 vote on Tuesday overcomes one hurdle in resolving the crisis, but the Republican party that he opposed retains a majority in parliament.
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12:10 p.m.
Armenia's parliament has opened a session to elect a prime minister, for which opposition lawmaker and protest leader Nikol Pashinian is the only nominee.
The Republican Party, which has a majority of the seats in the chamber, said last week that it would support any candidate nominated by a third of the deputies and that it would not put forth its own candidate. That move appeared to ensure Pashinian would be chosen Tuesday.
Pashinian spearheaded weeks of huge protests that were lively but largely peaceful. The protests focused on frustration with widespread poverty and corruption in the country and on former President Serzh Sargsyan's becoming prime minister, which was seen as a maneuver to remain the country's leader indefinitely.
Sargsyan resigned the premiership six days after his appointment.
Supporters of opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian react as they drive by Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The Armenian opposition who is nearly certain to become the country's prime minister says he will not seek political revenge in the wake of the past month of tensions. Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen prime minister by parliament on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
The Armenian-American singer Serj Tankian of System of a Down, right, and opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian greet fans during a concert in Yerevan, Armenia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Nikol Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen as prime minister by parliament Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
The Armenian-American singer Serj Tankian of System of a Down, left, and opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian greet fans during a concert in Yerevan, Armenia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Nikol Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen as prime minister by parliament Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
The Armenian-American singer Serj Tankian of System of a Down addresses the crowd gathered in Republic Square during a concert in Yerevan, Armenia, Monday, May 7, 2018. Opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen as prime minister by parliament Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
Supporters of opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian react as they drive by Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The Armenian opposition who is nearly certain to become the country's prime minister says he will not seek political revenge in the wake of the past month of tensions. Pashinian, who led weeks of protests that attracted tens of thousands of people and forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign as premier, is expected to be chosen prime minister by parliament on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press