President of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, Resigns, Paving the Way for Political Change

President of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan has announced his resignation from the presidency on Friday, September 1, in a Facebook post that cited the need for a change in leadership and a new approach to address the complex challenges facing the region.

Harutyunyan, who had served as President since May 2020, revealed the decision in a reflective message on social media, expressing his commitment to supporting the country's future while acknowledging the evolving geopolitical landscape and the public's expectations.

"I made this final decision two days ago, taking into account my interactions with all internal and external actors and the public in recent weeks. This is a considered decision made solely by me based on the results of the analysis of the data I have," President Harutyunyan wrote in his Facebook post.

The President alluded to the unstable geopolitical situation globally and the regional events and forecasts that influenced his decision. He stressed the necessity for new approaches and flexibility in addressing the challenges facing Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), both internally and externally.

Harutyunyan acknowledged the impact of his biography and Azerbaijan's perception of it on the political climate, creating conditions that hindered the country's path forward. He also cited the post-war difficulties and the resulting decline in trust in the government, particularly the presidency, as factors necessitating change.

"To achieve the necessary change, it is essential to change the main actors in Artsakh, starting with me," the President declared, emphasizing his commitment to the region's well-being.

Alongside his resignation, President Harutyunyan announced the relief of State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan from his post and the appointment of Security Council Secretary Samvel Sergey Shahramanyan as the new State Minister with expanded responsibilities.

In accordance with the latest amendment to the "Rules of Law of the National Assembly" of Artsakh, the Parliament is now authorized to elect the President of Artsakh. This amendment, adopted by the Parliament in June, came into effect on July 14, 2023, following President Harutyunyan's signature.

Under this amendment, during a state of martial law, the National Assembly has the authority to elect a President who will serve until the conclusion of the incumbent president's term. The election must occur no sooner than 7 days but no later than 10 days after the resignation.

President Harutyunyan's departure from office has opened the door to a new era in Artsakh's political landscape, with the National Assembly set to play a pivotal role in selecting the next leader who will guide the region through the coming years. The future of Artsakh now rests in the hands of its legislative body as it prepares to choose a new President who will serve until 2025.