Armenia’s National Assembly failed to elect a new prime minister today, thus moving the country a step closer to snap parliamentary elections in December.

Earlier, Pashinyan told MPs not to vote for him. If the National Assembly fails to elect a new prime minister at the next vote in seven days, the parliament dissolves, and new elections will be held.

Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who resigned as prime minister on October 16 in a move to trigger snap parliamentary elections, was the only candidate in the race.

Only 12 deputies voted, and none backed Pashinian. Eleven abstained.

After the vote, National Assembly President Ara Babloyan joked, “I congratulate you on not being elected.”

The Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) earlier announced that it had no intention of nominating its own candidate. The Tsarukyan Alliance had entered into a agreement with Pashinyan not to nominate a candidate nor to back any other candidate.