Armenia's parliament elects Nikol Pashinyan prime minister

Armenia's opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has won the parliament's backing to take over as the country's prime minister, ending weeks of mass protests against corruption in the ex-Soviet republic.

In a vote in the parliament on Tuesday, 59 lawmakers voted for Pashinyan's candidacy and 42 voted against. Some parliamentarians  from the ruling Republican Party also cast their votes in his favor.

Last week, the ruling party blocked Pashinyan in a vote, but it said on Tuesday it had decided to get behind him for the sake of unity and the good of the nation.

Before the vote, Pashinyan addressed the parliament, calling on Armenia's people to come together behind the new government he will lead.

"The page of hatred should be turned," he said, adding, "May God help us."

"All people are equal before the law. There will be no people enjoying privileges in Armenia. That's it. Full stop."

Pashinyan's supporters gathered at Republic Square in the capital Yerevan to watch the voting on huge television screens. Thousands of people erupted into joy when the result was shown and white doves were released into the air.

"We won! We made history today!" said a 22-year-old student in the crowd.

The election of Pashinyan, a former newspaper editor, ruptures the cadre of rulers who have run Armenia since the late 1990s.

Pashinyan's protest movement was sparked when Serzh Sargsyan, barred by the constitution from seeking another term as president, became prime minister instead.

In a vote in the parliament on Tuesday, 59 lawmakers voted for Pashinyan's candidacy and 42 voted against. Some parliamentarians  from the ruling Republican Party also cast their votes in his favor.

Last week, the ruling party blocked Pashinyan in a vote, but it said on Tuesday it had decided to get behind him for the sake of unity and the good of the nation.

Before the vote, Pashinyan addressed the parliament, calling on Armenia's people to come together behind the new government he will lead.

"The page of hatred should be turned," he said, adding, "May God help us."

"All people are equal before the law. There will be no people enjoying privileges in Armenia. That's it. Full stop."

Pashinyan's supporters gathered at Republic Square in the capital Yerevan to watch the voting on huge television screens. Thousands of people erupted into joy when the result was shown and white doves were released into the air.

"We won! We made history today!" said a 22-year-old student in the crowd.

The election of Pashinyan, a former newspaper editor, ruptures the cadre of rulers who have run Armenia since the late 1990s.

Pashinyan's protest movement was sparked when Serzh Sargsyan, barred by the constitution from seeking another term as president, became prime minister instead.

SS