YEREVAN — With parliamentary elections set for June 2026, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has intensified rhetoric against former presidents, challenging them to a public debate and accusing them of “fearfully avoiding” an open political confrontation. The Prime Minister’s remarks came via a Facebook post accompanied by a video in which he draws sharp ideological lines between what he calls the Third and Fourth Republics of Armenia.
In the video, Pashinyan presents the concept of a “Fourth Republic” as a transformative vision for Armenia — one that breaks decisively from the country’s post-Soviet legacy. “The Third Republic was founded on a logic of conflict,” he said. “The Fourth Republic must be founded on the logic of peace.”
He went on to question the legitimacy of the Third Republic’s constitutional foundations. In contrast, he argued, the Fourth Republic must rest on unquestionable democratic legitimacy. “In the Third Republic, power belonged to the people only formally and conditionally. In the Fourth Republic, it must belong to the people clearly, directly and indisputably,” Pashinyan declared. He further described the third republic as one preoccupied with the idea of a lost or idealized homeland, suggesting that the Armenia of the future must view itself as the realization of that national dream. “The Third Republic was about searching for the homeland in dreams. The Fourth Republic says the Republic of Armenia is that dream fulfilled — there is no longer a need to search,” he added.
Pashinyan’s remarks signal a campaign strategy rooted in narrative transformation, framing the 2026 election not merely as a contest for power, but as a referendum on Armenia’s identity, direction and historical purpose. His confrontation with former presidents reflects the deepening polarization within Armenian politics, as well as an effort to reassert political dominance following years of domestic upheaval and regional uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Armenia’s political field is beginning to take shape, with several major political forces announcing their entry into the race. The Armenian National Congress (ANC), led by First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, has confirmed its participation. Party vice-president Levon Zurabyan told the media that they intend to build a “nationwide resistance,” adding that Ter-Petrosyan will play a “serious role” in the upcoming elections.
Second President Robert Kocharyan has also announced that his “Hayastan” Alliance will run, stating in a recent press conference that “Nikol Pashinyan’s chances of re-election drop to zero — unless the opposition makes critical mistakes.” Speaking at a press conference covering a wide range of topics, Kocharyan laid out a critique of the government’s foreign policy and handling of peace negotiations. He argued that current peace efforts lack enforceable guarantees, saying, “Peace today depends entirely on Aliyev’s mood, because the document in question carries no guarantees…We are proposing peace that comes with guarantors — guarantors who bear responsibility, not just witnesses to a signature.”
Kocharyan dismissed the term “peace” as misleading, asserting that Armenia is living under a ceasefire conditional on one man’s discretion. Comparing the current situation to the 2020 ceasefire agreement, he called the November 9 document a “dream document” by contrast, as it at least acknowledged the existence of Artsakh. Kocharyan claimed, “Back in 2018, Pashinyan didn’t talk about peace — because peace existed. Now he’s selling a peace agenda only because he created war.”
He also blasted the U.S.-backed agreement preliminarily signed in August 2025, arguing it offered the Armenian side “zero concrete benefits” while granting strategic advantages to others. “The United States gains control over a future corridor, de facto oversight of the Iran border and likely a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for its president. Azerbaijan secures a corridor through Armenian territory, the dismantling of the OSCE Minsk Group and the repeal of Section 907. What does Armenia get? I searched and found nothing — just more problems,” he said. As for Pashinyan himself, Kocharyan remarked, “He got a photo with Trump’s signature. Nothing legally binding — just another prop to deceive the public. In Washington, Pashinyan was a decorative element — a chair, a flag, a photo and him.”
Turning to domestic politics, Kocharyan reiterated his readiness to cooperate with all opposition forces, provided there is agreement on a single prime ministerial candidate post-election. He also pushed back against persistent allegations linked to past controversies. “Do I seem like someone who’s afraid of anything?” he asked.
Regarding the 2001 Poghos Poghosyan incident, he claimed, “I was home that night. I didn’t hear the ‘Privet, Rob’ line. My mother calls me Rob; my childhood friends call me Rob. Why would I be offended? The individual involved was dismissed and convicted.” Addressing the 2008 post-election events, he noted that he remained in office for only “one month and eight days” after March 1, and emphasized that the European Court of Human Rights decision was directed not at him but at authorities who failed to properly investigate the deaths.
Third President Serzh Sargsyan has not yet confirmed whether his political team will participate in the 2026 elections. Speaking earlier this week, he stated that “no final decision has been made yet” and added that they will determine their course of action “when the time comes.” In the meantime, he expressed well wishes to all political forces planning to take part in the elections, noting that his team is currently focused on advancing an impeachment process against Prime Minister Pashinyan.
Several newer political actors are also entering the fray. Detained businessman Samvel Karapetyan announced from prison the formation of a new political movement called “Mer Dzevov” (Our Way), which is currently finalizing its program and expected to be formally established in January 2026. Narek Karapetyan, who is coordinating the effort, has confirmed that the movement will bring in new political figures.
Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan declared his intention to participate in the elections during a public event in September, promising a “new team” to lead the campaign.
Former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan also confirmed his entry into politics, saying that legal advocacy alone is no longer sufficient to achieve systemic change. “I am entering politics in defense of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people,” Tatoyan declared in a video message, formally announcing his political bid. “This is a bid to use politics as a tool for unifying people and advancing the country, for the sake of real peace. It’s not a call to operate by the old rules, but to change those rules,” he added, signaling a break from traditional political frameworks and a campaign built around civic empowerment and institutional reform.
Former Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan announced back in February 2024 that he would participate under the banner of a newly formed party called “New Force,” which he will personally lead. Additionally, Mesrop Arakelyan, co-founder of the Country to Live party, stated that their objective is to remove the current government through democratic means.
With eight months remaining until election day, the 2026 parliamentary race is shaping up to be one of Armenia’s most dynamic and ideologically charged in recent memory — one that could redefine the nation’s political landscape for years to come.
All the Armenian opposition parties need to set aside their differences and disagreements with each other, unite and work together to make plans how to depose the common national foe, Pashinyan. If Pashinyan rigs the election and declares himself the “winner”, these parties also need to make plans B, C, D, etc, for that possibility. The stakes couldn’t be higher and no doubt Pashinyan is more “prepared” than the opposition parties for this election, and he will very likely resort to a divide-and-rule tactic against the opposition parties and will try to rig the election, because according to polls, his approval rating is rock bottom and he has no chance of winning the election fairly and squarely. A bigger danger than vote rigging, is a low turnout, a boycott, during the election, which Pashinyan eagerly hopes for. If that indeed becomes the case, he will snatch “victory” by default and claim legitimacy. That ghastly scenario is an even bigger possibility than vote rigging.
so true…..
I think Armenians are prepared to give democracy one last go.
Everyone is clinging to the hope that Pashinyan can be peacefully removed from power at the June 2026 elkections.
But what if he rigs the elections, as the elections in Moldova were rigged, what then?
Pashinyan and his pro-Western cohorts need to understand that any attempt by them to rig the elections will signify the death of democracy.
After all, what’s the point of democracy when elections can be rigged?
The reason why Armenians have been so passive, compared to the national revolutions in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, is that Armenians recoil in horror at the thought of Armenians fighting Armenians.
And yet if the elections are rigged, the situation in Armenia will become explosive.
Armenians need to show that will, that determination, that people power, have a Gen Z, which has successfully deposed corrupt and authoritarian leaders and governments, in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and now in Madagascar thanks to huge and relentless mass protests. Opposition parties or even militaries didn’t depose them, the ordinary people did. The anger in Armenia towards Pashinyan’s authoritarianism and his as well as his cronies’ corruption and plundering of Armenia, is palpable. Armenia’s problems are almost identical to these countries, in addition to facing external foes. It just needs that spark for an uprising. I don’t hold my breath that the opposition parties will cast their differences aside and unite on how to defeat Pashinyan. The real test rests ultimately with the people, if Pashinyan remains in power after the elections.
Even if Pashinyan is gone it won’t alter the reality that Azerbaijan has the military advantage and that international law favoured Azerbaijan sovereignty over Arktash as the boundaries were defined in the Soviet era now considered the authentic international ones, of course this applies throughout the former USSR. Any reduplication would likely lead to Azerbaijan attacking Armenia whose military fell behind during its close relationship with Russia and subsequent distancing from Russia along with that countries current preoccupations in it’s conflict with Ukraine.
Be realistic!
Of course you would say that, Turk.
What’s your actual counterpoint(s)? Do you not agree that Azerbaijan currently has a military and population advantage? Or that somehow hollow chest-thumping rhetoric will draw strong allies and/or make Azerbaijan back down?
I find it ever so interesting how Armenians wail that “no one is listening”, yet when non-Armenians attempt to enter a conversation, we’re constantly belittled and insulted. I’ve been following Armenian / Artsakh news since before 2020, and I’m now done with this “community”. Mr. Stepan Piligian seems to be about the only person with warmth and grace, instead of instant fury and attacks.
Enjoy “drinking tea in Baku” (so glad I haven’t had to see that one for quite a while now), getting back “Western Armenia”, reparations, and whatever else you can’t let go of and yet will never get. And no, I am not a Turk nor muslim. I’m a Scandanavian-American who is *actually* on Armenia’s side – not that you can see that, Mr. Whig. Best to the Weekly.
Armenians have very little time for Westerners because Armenians live in the real world not the fantasy sphere of delusions.
Look where Armenia is!
Nobody is coming, not the Seventh Cavalry, not the British and certainly not the Scandinavians, (Scandinavian Americans or otherwise).
Western promises are just that, empty words.
Defeat against the Turks leads to defiance and greater resolve to triumph.
Cowardice only invites further attacks.
Pashinyan is the reason for our enemy having the military advantage. He is delusional and lives in his fantasy world. He acts as if he has no clue what these cunning Turks are all about. He’s been advocating for his fraudulent “era of peace” nonsense while having nothing to show for other than a piece of non-binding paper, not even worth the paper it is written on, signed by a pseudo-Turkish criminal fascist and an ignorant narcissistic felon turned president who could not even remember the names of the countries he entertained in Washington only two months after their dog and pony signing ceremony show. While Pashinyan has cut back on military spending and is in the process of reducing the size of the military and lowering military service time as well as advocating for ways to skip military service, the enemy with terrorist Turkey’s backing has not only increased its military budget but continues to bang on the drums of war if he does not get what he wants. With Pashinyan gone, critical obstacles will be removed and all these disastrous changes will be scrapped, soured relations with our traditional allies destroyed by Pashinyan will be normalized and, as a result, the inequality in military strength will be restored. Pashinyan tied people’s hands to defend themselves by practically criminalizing those who would arm themselves and fight back and destroy our despicable enemy emboldening the enemy paving the way for the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh. Can’t wait to see him gone and face the criminal court as a defendant!
As far as the international law favoring Azerbaijan’s “sovereignty” is concerned, well that is no surprise given their hypocrisy in exchange for Azerbaijan’s oil & gas and protecting western companies heavily invested in the infrastructure, exploration and delivery of those energy resources to energy-hungry west and even more so now with the embargo placed on Russian oil & gas imports. A hypocritical international law that defended people’s right to self-determination in Kosovo paving the way for the formation of a state illegally carved out of sovereign Serbian territory for a people with no connection to the land while denying the native Armenians the same rights and with deep connections to their ancestral lands under Azerbaijani occupation. No surprise there whatsoever!
Azerbaijan had been recovering from its losses since 1994 and with an open mindedness of the loser to new ideas and ways and not tied in like Armenia was with Russia , the defeat of 2020 wasn’t merely mismanagement from two years of Pashinyan government but from being eclipsed over many more years. After all in 2016 Armenia lost ground to Azeri drones but the conflict ended before too much loss occurred. The notion that a renewed conflict would be like picking up like a film or book one hadn’t read for a few years hiatus was ludicrous bit like how Russia had an easy mission in Ukraine in 2014 but by the time hostilities erupted in earnest in 2022 Ukraine was much better prepared and supported. Thus the fact is Armenia had slipped up in the arms race over many years but this wouldn’t fully reveal itself until 2020.
In general international law is very rigid about national boundaries, but for murky reasons the United States took it upon itself to force Kosovo away from Serbia.
There was always the problem that the cause of Arktash leaving Azerbaijan and even joining Armenia had no international support of any relevance. This inconvenient truth is overlooked by many who wish to infer that the cause was doing fine until Pashinyan threw it away.
Robert, unable to refute with facts one resorts to ad hominem slur of Turk.
Charlie,
You never have anything positive to say about Armenia and never anything negative about the Turks.
You are not Armenian, you are not British.
All the evidence points to you being a Turk.
Robert, I have to post in a new reply as I’m not able for some technical issues to reply in the thread. Anyhow I seek to be neutral and dispassionate. You are correct in that I’m not an Armenian. You are incorrect when you state that I’m not British and that I’m Turkish. You are insane when you suggest trying to induce an earthquake with missiles on the Anatolian fault to shake nearby Istanbul.
No, Charlie, you are not British.
You make far too many mistakes in basic English for you to be British.
You are so full of doom and gloom about Armenia, aren’t you, Turk?
And there is single-for-life Charles, typing away furiously talking about all the negative attributes of Armenia, praising Turkey and its proxies, and diminishing the Armenian Genocide by calling it a mere massacre, then in the same breath calling himself neutral, and crying out in pain by calling you a Russian when you notice his extremely one sided pro turkish voice…
No wonder you’re single-for-life, and dreaming of romances you let slip away, single-for-life Charles…. No wonder you are a loser.
Well I have Robert Whig whose convinced I’m Turkish and dreaming aloud about causing an earthquake in Istanbul and Boghos J or Chinese friend who claims that I was married or single for life along with false claims of praising Turkey. With such insane claims it’s hard to respect their statements. Boghos J is a troll in that he doesn’t seem to post except in response to myself.
Russia is a gross hypocrite in it’s dealings with Armenia , it’s legal ally over Arktash and then going on to invade Ukraine with no sense of irony that admonishing an ally for control of parts of another country and then going on to do similar on an exponentially greater scale . Criticism from Turkey over Armenia having control of parts of Azerbaijan when it has control of parts of Cyprus and Syria is of course hypocritical of them but they are a hostile power thus it’s more tolerable than from ones own ally Russia. This is on the principle one can forgive an enemy more easily than a friends betrayal. Russia with its CTSO tie in meant Armenia was very limited in what it could buy from NATO countries sympathetic to Armenia such as Greece and France whose technology is generally better than Russia’s, Azerbaijan had no such tie in and was able to procure advanced technology that Armenia wasn’t able to if Armenia with its links with Russia was able to maintain its hegemony then the tie in wouldn’t have been a problem. The CTSO was selling weapons to non member Azerbaijan to add injury. Russia gives bad advice Egypt and Syria were both close to the Soviet Union but Egypt ditched them and regained Sinai, Syria stuck with the Soviets and seems set lose the Golan indefinitely the Soviet Union which wasn’t able to meditate nor provide Syria with the means to reverse it’s losses and the kicker is most of the Jewish settlers in the Golan are from Russia thus Russia effectively gifted an ally’s territory as part of its own power play. It also in currying favour and apparently wanting to guard the reputation of its modern equipment declined to provide Syria with air defences against Israeli attacks, also allowing Turkey to administer part of Syria paved the way for the spectacular collapse of the assad regime in 2024 , can you imagine the USA allowing an ally where
it had bases being treated so? It was quite clear that Azerbaijan had checked out with Russia that they wouldn’t obstruct attempts to regain authority over land Armenia controlled, yet when Georgia sought to regain control of parts of its own country from separatists in 2008 Russia swiftly intervened .
The real doom monger and self loathing poster here was @Concerned Armenian and avidly pro Russian although he hasn’t been active for some
time now .
“who’s” not “whose”, Turk.
Your very frequent mistakes make your claim to be “British” just so laughable.
Stripping Armenia away from its only ally would leave the whole country naked.
You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Turk?
Robert, my odd spelling mistake doesn’t make me Turkish this shows how badly brainwashed by Kremlin lies and soviet ignorance you are. As stated before i consider you to be insane with your persistent false claims about my nationality/ethnicity. Your Istanbul earthquake plot is also insane and giving false hopes. Your refusal to acknowledge that Armenia under Pashinyan did something previous leaders failed to do in Armenia recognising Palestine, especially when Israel has been extraordinarily hostile to Armenia yet it was vainly declining to do so and being quite dysfunctional because ‘no one recognised Arktash and we have more trade with Israel and the Armenian community in Israel and vain hopes of empathy over the ottoman genocide” . Clearly your Kremlin handlers haven’t kept you updated on the
current reality . Russia has treated Armenia very cynically but clearly desperation and vulnerability has blinded many Armenians although an awakening and epiphany is happening much to Russia dismay. The principle of just because some people are enemies doesn’t mean another people are friends has taken Armenia about a century and clear let downs by Russia to realise this. Again you are incapable of
refuting my facts so resort to ad hominem slur of Turk lover or Turk itself . Whilst not really within the scope of this publication. I knew for years from Polish people that whilst their relationship with Russia is bad it didn’t make them automatically friendly with Ukraine indeed their is much bad blood from WW1 and WW2 between the peoples. I have been told by a Polish woman that many of her fathers male relatives were murdered by Ukrainian thugs. I have also been told told in Poland that in WW2 Germany employed Russians and Ukrainians as auxiliary police and the Ukrainians were notably crueler than the Russians in killing. Maybe in a generation a more honest surmise will be accepted just like the demonisation of the Serbs very fashionable in the Yugoslav wars has quietly been let to go in Western MSM.
Charlie,
Thou dost protest too much, Turk.
Charles, why you bring me up?
You are one with defeatist attitude worrying about betrayal, then projecting on Russia.
Your wife went to poundtown with Tyrone.
You comment 6 times on just this one post with 18 commentss.
If you had spent that same energy on your wife, then maybe she not leave you for Tyrone?
Also, very weird some weirdo from England spend so much time on Armenian issues to make Armenia hate Russia and rely on UK and Turkiye?
Bertie, dream on with your insane false hopes of an earthquake plot fantasy since you cannot get the false idea that I’m Turkish out of your mind. Indeed your extensive use of the slur rather than refuting my statements says it all about you.
Silly boy, Charlie.
“Bertie” is the diminutive of “Albert”!!!!!!
You really don’t know anythng about Britain, do you, Turk?
No real Brit would ever make such a silly mistake!!!!!!
Robert, what rhymes with Bob ?
Chinese friend, I’m not married don’t know of Tyrone. As for comments Robert Whig is always aroused when I comment, perhaps more Armenians should be taking an interest or perhaps apathy reigns?
Hello all,
I’m trying to get a better gauge of the public opinion in Armenia right now and I need some help. I could get my hands on a single opinion poll on the 2026 election and the data is choppy at best. According to a survey conducted in June by the International Republican Institute (IRI), 47 percent of respondents supported the signing of a peace agreement with Azerbaijan while 10 percent reserved judgement until the terms of the treaty were public. I suspect this poll stems from Pashinyan supporters, but I’m not sure, especially since the same poll also said only 36 percent of respondents believed that the country was heading in the right direction. Pashinyan’s approval ratings have also steadily fallen since 2020, with only 13 percent trusting the premiere, though the closest opposition rival, Robert Kocharyan, managed just 4 percent. A staggering 61 percent do not trust any political leader, leaving room for a third force to emerge.
Does this mean we might expect completely new political realignment in the upcoming elections? I’m trying to understand the current political climate of Armenia, any assistance on this would be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!