March 1, 2008 events could have been avoided, were the opposition-coalition dialogue launched earlier, according to a member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Gagik Minasyan.

Commenting on the possibility of pre-term elections in Armenia, Minasyan noted that though ruling out snap elections, the coalition is ready to discuss the issue with Armenian National Congress (ANC). “Our position is well-founded, we see no harm in discussions,” the RPA member said.

From February 20, 2008, the Armenian opposition led by first president Levon Ter-Petrossian, who ran for presidency in 2008, but was not elected, held rallies in the central part of Yerevan, protesting against the election results. The protest actions resulted in unrest and clashes between the police and rally participants on March 1-2. According to the Office of RA Prosecutor General, around 200 people were injured, 10 people were killed, and over 100 people were arrested.