It is very refreshing to be in Armenia these days, to breathe the fresh air of the spring and feel the happiness and euphoria which are palpable everywhere. There is a carnival atmosphere. Even the cab drivers who serve as volunteer political commentators for their passengers have changed their tune only to praise the brotherly love and mutual respect which are on display.
They swear that people have never celebrated any precedent occasion like this one, neither the declaration of independence nor the liberation of Shushi has been celebrated with this level of jubilation.
People who know Nikol Pashinyan are happy and even those who do not know him, are happier with the turn of events. They have all flooded Yerevan from the villages and provinces with flags, honking their car horns, to contribute to the cacophony which is a pastoral symphony for the general public.
May 8 will remain in Armenian history as the beginning of a new political revolution which began in the streets to gain its legislative validation in the national parliament. The parliamentary session was carried out very smoothly. Some lingering doubts about political maneuvering and machinations in the dark were soon dissipated.
The votes were already counted in the streets during the political bargaining which was taking place out in the open. The head of the Republican faction of the parliament, Vahram Baghdassarian, announced that the party had decided to cast 11 votes for Pashinyan, which brought the figures in parliament for him to 59 votes, with 42 against. The number required for his win was 53.
Ironically, even the 42 negative votes may be taken as a symbol that the takeover of the government was not a total surrender.