YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia's parliament has failed to choose a new prime minister, with deputies casting zero votes for the only candidate to bring about an early election.

Nikol Pashinian, who resigned as Armenian prime minister last week, was the only nominee in Wednesday's vote. Pashinian's party called in advance for lawmakers to withhold their support.

If parliament twice fails to pick a new head of government within 14 days of a prime minister's resignation, a snap election must be held.

Pashinian wants an early election because Armenia's current parliament is dominated by the party that backed his predecessor.

He took office in May after spearheading weeks of protests that forced the resignation of Serzh Sargsyan. The protests drew on widespread anger over unemployment and corruption.