Armenian opposition bloc nominates protest leader as premier

YEREVAN, Armenia — An Armenian opposition bloc has nominated protest leader Nikol Pashinian to become prime minister a day before a vote in parliament.

The opposition coalition that spearheaded two weeks of anti-government protests, which prompted Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation, formally nominated Pashinian on Monday as Armenia’s next premier.

Armenia’s parliament is set to vote for a new prime minister Tuesday. Pashinian and his supporters can count on 47 votes, just six shy of the majority necessary for his election. Pashinian has vowed to mount a nationwide strike if parliament doesn’t approve his candidacy.