[20190116]IF11071_亚美尼亚的天鹅绒革命.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov January 16, 2019Armenias Velvet RevolutionIn December 2018, snap parliamentary elections strengthened the legitimacy of Armenias new prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, who came to power in May 2018 in what supporters called a “velvet revolution.” The elections unseated a semi-autocratic ruling party that had governed Armenia for almost 20 years but now failed to enter parliament. Armenia, a small, landlocked country in the South Caucasus (population 3 million), is dependent on Russia for security, trade, and investment, but it also seeks closer relations with the United States and Europe. Whether Armenias change of government will lead to further integration with the West is unclear. For now, Armenias government says it intends to retain its security alliance and economic partnership with Russia while pursuing Western-leaning democracy and governance reforms. Peaceful Transfer of Power In April-May 2018, mass protests were prompted by public discontent with the efforts of Serzh Sargsyan, Armenias president for a decade, to extend his rule by becoming prime minister, a position he held for one week. Sargsyans maneuver was in line with constitutional ref