A sliding and pivoting armrest assembly for a vehicle console includes a closure member pivotally mounted to the vehicle console, an armrest member slidably mounted to the closure member, and a latching device for selectively latching the closure member in a closed position. The latching device includes at least one latching member selectively receivable in at least one latching aperture defined in the closure member, at least one pushing member disposed on the closure member and moveable to remove the at least one closure member from the at least one latching aperture, and an actuator moving the at least one pushing member.