Tens of thousands of Armenians shut down capital in show of defiance

Tens of thousands of Armenians converged on the capital today, blocking key transport links and government buildings, as popular anger exploded over the ruling party's rejection of opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan's bid to become prime minister.

In an unprecedented show of defiance, protesters including elderly people, pupils and even housewives paralysed Yerevan, with streets closed to traffic, and the subway and numerous stores shut.

The poor, Moscow-allied nation was plunged into its most serious political crisis in years last month when mass demonstrations led by Pashinyan forced the resignation of longtime leader Serzh Sarkisian.

Crowds of protesters across the city today waved national flags, blew vuvuzelas and shouted "Free, independent Armenia!", turning a new day of rallies into a street carnival.

Leading supporters on a march, Pashinyan pledged to ramp up pressure on the authorities.

"Various scenarios are under discussion, under each scenario the people will win," said Pashinyan who was wearing his trademark khaki-coloured T-shirt and a baseball cap.

Suburban train services were disrupted and the road linking Yerevan with its airport was blocked, forcing travellers to drag their luggage on foot.

The central bank warned Armenians against a run on banks, saying it was capable of ensuring the "stability of the country's financial system." Protesters said they would persist for as long as it takes to oust the ruling elites from power to rid the country of poverty and corruption.

"The people will not give up, protests will not subside," said Sergey Konsulyan, a 45-year-old businessman.

Student Gayane Amiragyan, 19, added: "We will win because we are united, the whole Armenian people are united." On social media, Armenians launched a "name and shame" campaign against lawmakers, forcing the parliament speaker to ask them to stop harassing MPs.

"I urge a halt to the persecution of lawmakers, stop insulting them on social media, on the streets and public places and publishing their addresses and phone numbers," said Ara Babloyan.

In parliament, lawmakers could not convene for a session due to the absence of a quorum, with the Prosperous Armenia party declaring a boycott over "an emergency situation in the country."