By KRIKOR KHODANIAN
There is little time left until Armenia’s elections scheduled for June 7. Various parties are sequentially announcing the format of their participation, and a heated pre-election contest is expected between the ruling “Civil Contract” party led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and a number of opposition parties and alliances. For now, the prevailing view is that the main competition will be limited to the ruling force and three principal groupings, which over the next three months will seek to earn the people’s trust and secure the largest number of votes.
Pashinyan’s supporters are more than confident of their victory, citing the achievements recorded in the country since the previous elections, including the establishment of peace, economic progress, wage increases, foreign financial investments, universal health insurance, the strengthening of democracy and freedoms, and a number of other accomplishments.
On the opposition side, the main players will be the “Our Way” movement led by Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan—currently under house arrest—which has now been transformed into a party under the name “Powerful Armenia”; the alliance led by Kocharyan; and the consolidation forming around businessman Gagik Tsarukyan.
Beginning with “Powerful Armenia,” it is evident that this party is spending large sums to secure the public’s vote. It is making promises that seem difficult to implement, including the creation of 300,000 new jobs, the establishment of new factories, the abolition of certain income taxes, and several other pledges. Representatives of this new party avoid addressing issues related to Armenia’s foreign policy and defining a clear position, fully aware that answers on those matters could harm their ratings.
For “Powerful Armenia” to succeed, it must overcome several legal obstacles and the public perceptions formed around its leader. Samvel Karapetyan, being a dual (indeed multiple) citizen holding at least three citizenships—Russia, Cyprus, and Armenia—has no right to assume the post of prime minister. To resolve this issue, Karapetyan’s supporters rely on constitutional amendments to be made by the newly elected National Assembly, which would require a two-thirds majority.
How that majority would be secured is unclear. Although there is an easier legal route—renouncing other citizenships and becoming an Armenian citizen solely—Karapetyan does not wish to take that step for now, promising to address the matter only after the elections.
On the other hand, a widespread view among many is that Samvel Karapetyan has been dispatched from Moscow to carry out a change of power in Armenia, deploying the millions of dollars allocated by himself and several other Russia-based Armenian oligarchs.
The inexperience of “Our Way” also works against them. For example, at the congress of the “Powerful Armenia” party, Samvel Karapetyan delivered his speech via a video created with artificial intelligence, using another person’s voice. Narek Karapetyan, who heads the electoral list, declared that “instead of opening schools, factories should be opened,” even though times have changed and today’s factories require highly educated personnel. Samvel Karapetyan’s son has made unacceptable blunders, declaring in an interview that under their rule, “there will be no unsatisfied women left in Armenia,” insulting the dignity of the entire Armenian nation. And a few days ago, in a video posted on social networks, other representatives called Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri, a “village.” Such phenomena and statements damage the party’s public image and alienate large numbers of voters. Whether Karapetyan will be able to overcome all these through the power of money and assume leadership remains an open question. Next, we will turn to other parties and alliances.
“MASSIS”
Note: Translated with the assistance of ChatGPT.
