Armenia’s third president Serzh Sargsyan said it is strange and unacceptable to speak about the ineffectiveness of street protests before they even begin, speaking with journalists outside a court building.

“If we need reasons not to act, we can add ten more reasons to those you mentioned. But if we want to act, then we must act. Who today can say whether it will succeed or not?” he said, responding to a question about calls by Davit Hambardzumyan to continue the impeachment process and street protests, Panorama.am reports.

Journalists also recalled his previous statement that “I did not lose to these people; I lost to much stronger individuals and forces,” and asked whether it is possible that Nikol Pashinyan also lost to stronger forces rather than waging what critics call a treacherous war.

“But when does he say he lost? He says we won,” Sargsyan replied. “I believe it was not defeat but capitulation. External forces could not have forced us to capitulate. I’m not saying he had no role, but his strength and efforts were not enough to bring about a change of power in Armenia.”

The former president also advised journalists to compare the behavior of Armenia’s previous leaders and their responses to security challenges with the actions of the current authorities.

The Republican Party of Armenia earlier announced the launch of political dialogue and consultations under its initiative, saying it is deeply concerned about new manifestations of negative developments recently recorded in the country.

The party called on all opposition forces, civil society and every citizen to “rise above narrow party and group interests and unite around the constitutional mechanism of impeachment.”