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Serzh Sargsyan

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Serzh Sargsyan is a politician from Armenia. He served as the third President of Armenia from 2008 to 2018.

Secretary Clinton and Serzh Sargsyan
Secretary Clinton and Serzh Sargsyan

Before that, he was the Prime Minister from 2007 to 2008. He also held the role of Prime Minister again in 2018. This second time was very short. He resigned only six days after taking office. This happened because of large protests in the country. People called his move a "power grab." He remains the leader of the Republican Party today.

Presidenet of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in Qatar, Doha
Presidenet of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in Qatar, Doha

Sargsyan was born on June 30, 1954. He grew up in Stepanakert. His father was named Azat Avetisi Sargsyan. Sargsyan went to Yerevan State University. He studied in the Philological Department. He graduated in 1979. Before his political life, he worked at a factory. He also served in the Soviet Armed Forces. He lived in the Ural region from 1971 to 1972. He married his wife, Rita, in 1983. He can speak Armenian and Russian. He also knows some Azerbaijani.

His career in politics started in Stepanakert. He held many roles in local committees. During the Nagorno-Karabakh War, he helped organize defenses. He was the head of the Defense Committee in 1992. Later, he became the Minister of Defense for Armenia. He served in this role from 1993 to 1995. He also worked as the Minister of National Security. In 1998, he helped cause the resignation of President Levon Ter-Petrosyan. This happened because of a peace plan for the conflict. Sargsyan then served as the Chief of Staff for President Robert Kocharyan.

С Президентом Азербайджана Ильхамом Алиевым и Президентом Армении Сержем Саргсяном - 1
С Президентом Азербайджана Ильхамом Алиевым и Президентом Армении Сержем Саргсяном - 1

Sargsyan won the 2008 presidential election. He received about 53% of the vote.

Abdullah Gul in Armenia (2008-09-06) 01
Abdullah Gul in Armenia (2008-09-06) 01

Some people did not agree with the results. They held protests in the city of Yerevan. These protests ended in violence on March 1, 2008. Ten people died during these events. Sargsyan then worked to improve the country. He helped fight corruption in the government. He also saw more people use the internet. In 2011, internet use rose to 37 percent. This helped more people read news online.

Dmitry Medvedev in Armenia 20 August 2010-7
Dmitry Medvedev in Armenia 20 August 2010-7

During his time as leader, the economy faced hard tasks. A global recession hit in 2009. Armenia's GDP fell by over 14% that year. This was one of the worst drops in the world. Many people left Armenia to find work during this time. Sargsyan also helped Armenia join the Eurasian Economic Union. This group includes Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.

Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands With Armenian President Sagsyan Before a Meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict in Vienna (27057410615)
Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands With Armenian President Sagsyan Before a Meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict in Vienna (27057410615)

He also worked on peace talks for Nagorno-Karabakh. He met with leaders from other countries to talk about peace. He wanted to find a way to solve the conflict through talking.

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🖼️ Images & Media (8)
File:Secretary Clinton and Serzh Sargsyan.jpg
Secretary Clinton and Serzh Sargsyan.jpg
File:Dmitry Medvedev in Armenia 20 August 2010-7.jpeg
Dmitry Medvedev in Armenia 20 August 2010-7.jpeg
File:С Президентом Азербайджана Ильхамом Алиевым и Президентом Армении Сержем Саргсяном - 1.jpeg
С Президентом Азербайджана Ильхамом...
File:Посещение турнира по боевому самбо. С И.Алиевым (слева) и С.Саргсяном - 1.jpeg
Посещение турнира по боевому самбо. С...
File:Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands With Armenian President Sagsyan Before a Meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict in Vienna (27057410615).jpg
Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands With...
File:Presidenet of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in Qatar, Doha.png
Presidenet of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in...
File:Abdullah Gul in Armenia (2008-09-06) 01.jpg
Abdullah Gul in Armenia (2008-09-06) 01.jpg
File:2nd EPP EaP Summit (8241836726).jpg
2nd EPP EaP Summit (8241836726).jpg
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