Serzh Sargsyan

Sargsyan was appointed Prime Minister by President Kocharyan. He had previously served as Minister of Defense and was seen as Kocharyan's chosen successor, consolidating the power of the Karabakh clan in Armenian politics.

Sargsyan won the presidential election with 52.8% of the vote, succeeding Robert Kocharyan. The election was marred by allegations of fraud and led to deadly post-election protests, with 10 people killed in clashes between protesters and police.

Sargsyan oversaw a constitutional referendum that transformed Armenia from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary republic. The reforms shifted executive power from the president to the prime minister, allowing Sargsyan to remain in power after his presidential term ended.

Sargsyan signed the CEPA with the European Union, deepening political and economic cooperation. The agreement was a compromise after Armenia chose not to sign an Association Agreement due to pressure from Russia, instead joining the Eurasian Economic Union.

Sargsyan resigned as Prime Minister after 11 days of mass protests led by Nikol Pashinyan. He had been elected Prime Minister by parliament after his second presidential term ended, but the protests forced him to step down, marking a peaceful transfer of power.