The Armenian archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, known for his outspoken stance against the Armenian government's territorial concessions to Azerbaijan, demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as he led tens of thousands of supporters in protests in Yerevan.

This seemed to be the largest anti-government demonstration in Armenia in years, occurring five days after activists commenced a march to the capital from Kirants, a village in the northern Tavush province, which served as the epicenter of the protests.

Galstanyan, who heads the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, reiterated his condemnation of the 'illegal unilateral process' as he addressed the crowd gathered in Yerevan's central Republic Square.

''This government, under its leader, failed to govern the country effectively, compromising our security and attacking key aspects of our identity, including the church. They destroyed our education system and allowed drugs to infiltrate our schools. Today, we mourn the loss of Artsakh [Karabakh], our true homeland. I believe I am not mistaken in saying this. Nikol Pashinyan, you have one hour to resign," he remarked. 

He further urged for a parliamentary vote of no confidence in the PM and announced his intention to meet with lawmakers to explore the possibility of facilitating that process. Following a brief discussion with some of them shortly thereafter, he revealed that the two opposition factions present in the Armenian parliament committed to introducing a motion of censure in the coming days. When questioned by journalists about whether the opposition's votes were insufficient and if he would meet with government deputies, Bagrat responded, stating, "I will gladly meet and consult." He noted that there was a shortfall of 20 votes.

Arusyak Julhakyan, a deputy of the ruling "Civil contract" faction in the National Assembly, characterized the opposition's move to initiate a no-confidence process against the PM as lacking political substance. She dismissed the idea of joining ''such an adventure'' by their fellow party members. 

Later in the day, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan announced plans for peaceful civil disobedience beginning on May 10 in the morning. He urged students, universities, businessmen with values beyond money, and other educational institutions to join the strike.

Read also: Yerevan March: Armenians Demand Transparency in Border Talks