Serzh Sarkisyan
Quick Summary
Serzh Sargsyan served as the president of Armenia from 2008 to 2018. During his presidency, he signed agreements aimed at resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan and normalizing relations with Turkey, though the latter accord ultimately failed. He was re-elected in 2013 amidst concerns about the fairness of the election.1
In a significant foreign policy shift, Sargsyan announced Armenia's intention to join the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union in 2013, effectively ending efforts to deepen ties with the European Union. A constitutional referendum in 2015 transitioned Armenia from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system, reducing the president's powers.1
Following his presidential term, Sargsyan was elected prime minister in April 2018. This move sparked widespread protests, led by Nikol Pashinyan, against what was perceived as an attempt to retain power. Sargsyan resigned as prime minister on April 23, 2018, amid escalating demonstrations.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Nagorno-KarabakhCeasefire and de facto Armenian control (1994â2020)Serzh Sargsyan, who was born in Nagorno-Karabakh, and Azerbaijani Pres. Ilham Aliyev signed a landmark agreementâthe first such agreement in 15 yearsâpledging to intensify efforts toward a resolution of the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Despite occasional gestures of rapprochement between the two countries, episodicâŠ
Read MoreSerzh Sargsyan, who was born in Nagorno-Karabakh, and Azerbaijani Pres. Ilham Aliyev signed a landmark agreementâthe first such agreement in 15 yearsâpledging to intensify efforts toward a resolution of the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Despite occasional gestures of rapprochement between the two countries, episodicâŠ
Read More
AzerbaijanRise of Ilham Aliyev, autocracy, and continued conflict over Nagorno-KarabakhSerzh Sargsyan that pledged to intensify the countriesâ efforts to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Read MoreSerzh Sargsyan that pledged to intensify the countriesâ efforts to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Read More
Nikol PashinyanEarly life, education, and journalistic careerâŠincluded Karabakh Armenians such as Serzh Sargsyan (who served in several ministerial posts from 1993 until he became prime minister in 2007) among its public servants. In 1997 the embattled Armenian president, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, appointed as prime minister the president of the self-declared Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Robert Kocharyan, in theâŠ
Read MoreâŠincluded Karabakh Armenians such as Serzh Sargsyan (who served in several ministerial posts from 1993 until he became prime minister in 2007) among its public servants. In 1997 the embattled Armenian president, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, appointed as prime minister the president of the self-declared Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Robert Kocharyan, in theâŠ
Read More
