ARMENIAN opposition leader Nikol Pashinian is calling for a pause in ongoing anti-government protests after the ruling party indicated they would support him in a parliamentary vote next week.

He said “the issue has practically been solved,” telling a rally in Yerevan’s Republic Square that he was calling off demonstrations after a general strike brought the country to a standstill yesterday.

“Kids, you are going to school tomorrow. We are suspending protests and going to have a rest," he said.

Mr Pashinian called for a break in the three-week-long anti-government demonstrations after the ruling Republican Party’s parliamentary leader Vahram Baghdasarian confirmed they would support any prime ministerial candidate nominated by at least one-third of the Armenian parliament in the May 8 vote.

The Civil Contract Party leader has secured the backing of more than a third of MPs. He will be the only candidate after the HHK confirmed it would not stand in the race.

The dramatic about-turn came just a day after his bid to become prime minister was blocked when the ruling party voted against him on May 1. 

Under Armenia’s constitution, failure to elect a prime minister in the second vote would see parliament dissolve and a general election held.

Armenia has been engulfed by weeks of political turmoil after protests forced the resignation of former President Serzh Sargsyan just days after he was appointed to the newly powerful role of prime minister.

Mr Pashinian has promised a snap general election if he is appointed prime minister along with electoral reform in a bid to bring to an end a “corrupt parliament.”