On Day 8 of his hunger strike, Raffi K. Hovannisian called the first in a series of open-air public forums, aimed at engaging popular opinion on a variety of political, social, and cultural issues. The inaugural forum was organized by journalist and MP Nikol Pashinyan, joined by lecturer Ara Harutyunyan, and moderated by political activist Levon Bagramian. Hundreds defied the rain and gathered under umbrellas to listen to the speakers and to debate the day’s topic: the formation of the newly-elected president’s government. Raffi Hovhannisyan’s staff informs about this.

“These discussions are the foundations of a new democracy,” Hovannisian said, calling on all concerned citizens to join the ongoing deliberations. He announced that the forums will be organized daily, at 5pm at Liberty Square, until Thursday — and will culminate, on Friday at 6pm, in a major rally at Liberty Square.

Today’s forum will feature former presidential candidate Andreas Ghukasyan. That will come after Raffi K. Hovannisian press conference, to take place at 12pm at Liberty Square.