Coalition party recalls minister of agriculture: Who is his successor?

Armenia's Agriculture Minister Gerasim Alaverdyan has resigned upon a decision by the Rule of Law Party (RLP) to which he is a member.

At a press conference today, the RLP leader Arthur Baghdasaryan, who is also the Secretary of Armenia's National Security Council, said that the decision had been made at the party's board meeting on Sunday.

"We discussed at the meeting the decline seen in the sector: It was mainly caused by the financial-economic crisis and weather conditions … We made a political decision to recall Agriculture Minister Gerasim Alaverdyan," said he.

It comes amid other reshufflings at the ministries of justice, finance and economy late in December.

Asked whether the decision was made because the party was pressured to do so, Baghdasaryan said: "We are on a field of political dialogue with our colleagues. That was a decision of our political team, but given Armenia's president is the general political chief today, naturally, I have discussed the decision with him too."

The name of Alaverdyan's successor will be known after the New Year, Baghdasaryan said, adding, however, he cannot give any names.

"We have a few candidates whose names I cannot simply mention. Their nomination requires some time and discussion," said Baghdasaryan.