“Zhoghovurd” daily writes: “Ahead of the National Assembly elections to be held on June 7, 2026, ArmLur.am continues to present the biographies and property declarations of the leaders of the nominated political forces. This time, the spotlight is on Nikol Pashinyan, who is number one on the pre-election list of the “Civil Contract” party. It should be noted that the party participates in the elections under number 16.

What property does Nikol Pashinyan have?

According to the declaration of property, income, expenses and interests of 2024, Nikol Pashinyan, who has held the position of Prime Minister since May 8, 2018, has no real estate. However, the declaration states that he actually owned a private house in Yerevan for 90 days or more.

 

In Pashinyan’s declaration, there is also a loan of 49 million 350 thousand drams given to “Ijevanatun” CJSC. He had a bank deposit of 726,900 drams, and the balance of his bank accounts was around 477,000 drams. Cash funds amounted to 700 thousand drams and 500 dollars.

 

 

 

According to the statement, during 2024 Nikol Pashinyan’s total incomes amounted to more than 80 million 235 thousand drams. About 17 million drams of that amount were wages. He also declared a donation of 6 million drams from his wife, Anna Hakobyan.

 

Loans received from different banks are also mentioned in the declaration. As of the end of the year, the balance of the principal amount of loans and borrowings amounted to more than 48 million drams, of which 44 million 415 thousand drams is a liability received for the purpose of purchasing an apartment.

 

The Prime Minister also declared travel expenses and accommodation expenses for the purpose of recreation in the amount of more than 5 million drams.

Pashinyan also announced his participation in “Mer Tparan” company, where he has a 50 percent share. That participation was acquired back in 2009. Pashinyan is the chairman of the board of the “Civil Contract” party.

For comparison, in the 2021 declaration, Pashinyan’s bank deposits were about 3 million drams, bank account balances were 27 thousand 701 drams and 3.84 dollars, and cash funds were 790 thousand drams and 1800 dollars, and total income was about 13.6 million drams. At that time, the loan obligations amounted to about 1.2 million drams.

 

Nikol Pashinyan’s political and journalistic path

Nikol Pashinyan was born on June 1, 1975 in Ijevan. He studied at Yerevan State University, but was expelled in his final year due to political reasons.

Since the 1990s, he has been engaged in journalism, working in various newspapers, including “Lagir”, “Molorak” and other periodicals. In 1998, he founded the “Oragir” daily newspaper, which was later closed by the court’s decision. From 1999 to 2012, he was the chief editor of “Haykakan Zhamanak” daily newspaper.

His political activities were also accompanied by criminal prosecutions and imprisonment. In 1999, he was sentenced to one year in prison, but the sentence was postponed. After the events of March 1, 2008, he spent more than a year underground, and in 2009 he voluntarily presented himself to law enforcement and was sentenced to 7 years in prison. He was later released under amnesty.

In 2012, he was elected a member of the National Assembly on the list of the “Armenian National Congress” bloc. In 2013, he founded the “Civil Agreement” political association, which later became a party.

In 2017, he was again elected as a deputy and head of the parliamentary faction on the list of the “ELK” alliance. On March 31, 2018, the “My Step” movement started in Gyumri, which in April-May turned into a mass protest movement and led to a change of government.

On May 8, 2018, the National Assembly elected him as the Prime Minister. In December of the same year, he headed the list of the “My Step” bloc and received the support of the majority of voters in the elections. In 2021, amid the internal political crisis, he resigned in order to hold early elections, but after the elections on June 20 of the same year, the “Civil Agreement” party won again, and Nikol Pashinyan was reappointed as Prime Minister.

Thus, ahead of the 2026 elections, Nikol Pashinyan stands before the public not only as the head of the government for eight years, but also as a politician whose activities and decisions continue to be one of the most discussed and controversial topics in society. On the one hand, he presents himself as the leader of the “velvet revolution” and the author of systemic changes, on the other hand, the years of his rule have been accompanied by war, territorial losses, severe internal political crises and ongoing social divisions. Against this background, public interest in his property status, income and financial obligations only grows, especially in the conditions when the government continues to talk about transparency, anti-corruption fight and social justice.

Details in today’s issue of “Zhoghovurd” daily.

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“Hraparak” newspaper writes:

“Aragatsotn Marzpetaran has signed 5 contracts with “Shinexpert” LLC for monitoring the construction of kindergartens.

They were signed on the same day, on May 5, without a tender, through the purchase procedure from one person, with a total value of about 7 million drams.

“Shineexprt” company was founded in 2010 by architect Suren Abovyan, who has been the chief architect of Vanadzor since 2016. A year after assuming the position, in 2017, Abovyan left the management of the Shinexprt company, transferred 100 percent of the shares of the LLC to the company’s employees, but nothing happens in the company without his knowledge.

This company, especially during Pashinyan’s rule, carries out author control of the construction of kindergartens by order of Vanadzor Municipality. Now the company has expanded its geography and provides surveillance services in Aragatsotn region as well.

Let’s note that before the signing of the mentioned 5 large contracts, the regional administration did not sign any contract with this company.

Suren Abovyan’s Facebook page revealed his political views. He actively shares Facebook posts of KP governor Aren Mkrtchyan and materials posted by other KP members. He is also active, writing comments in support of CP under various posts.”

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“Prosperous Armenia Party” presents the main provisions of the cultural sphere within the framework of the “Offer to Armenia” program.

“Armenia’s greatest wealth is its inexhaustible cultural heritage, which has come to us as a priceless gift, overcoming the trials of millennia.

What are we adding to that wealth today, what kind of cultural layer is being created today?

Cultural heritage and modern art. Clinging to these two axes, today’s society resists the new trials that have come to it, and tomorrow’s Armenia is formed through them.

Let’s try to present our ideas about the cultural policy of Armenia as concisely as possible.

General Provisions

• Cultural policy should be both pragmatic and fueled by big dreams. The field of culture, the creative environment cannot make a choice between these two, they must be simultaneous and mutually conditioning.

• The effectiveness of cultural policy suffers due to the current model of unilaterally centralized management in the hands of the Ministry of Education and Culture. The vertical management model of the spheres of culture, art and creative industry is characteristic of totalitarian countries. Such a model in a country with a small and original culture and human resources like Armenia.

– leads to stagnation,

– collapses the autonomy, independence and therefore originality of creative units,

– restricts initiative,

– repels the free creator, forcing him to endlessly enter the offices of officials, and instead of free creativity, forces him to weave an undesirable conjuncture for the artist, with non-artistic, anti-cultural consequences arising from it.

• It is necessary to move from the vertical management of the culture and art sphere to the development of models that promote autonomy and individual responsibility, with the creation of separate specialized units operating independently of the state, but under the patronage of the state: cultural agencies, foundations (according to the branches of art and creative industries).

• The state should generously finance and technically support the cultural sphere, promoting art and individual creativity, but act not as a “feudal” to whom this “field belongs”, or as a dry controller, but as a caring partner for whom the result (including long-term) is important, and the field of art and creativity should be free from direct encroachment and the danger of bureaucracy and stagnation.

1. Cultural heritage. maintenance and flowering

Cultural policy implementers should approach this sphere with maximum responsibility, realizing that they are the guardians of the cultural wealth that has reached our days in just a short historical period.

This realization will help.

– To unite the forces of the best specialists in all fields, in Armenia and in the Diaspora, regardless of political and personal sympathies

– To create an effective, viable system of preservation of cultural heritage.

We are all guardians of our cultural heritage. we should try to spread this approach, starting from kindergarten. Preservation and care of cultural material and non-material wealth should be part of everyday knowledge and activities in Armenia and in the world. The most important condition for this is to recognize that wealth, for which various educational and entertainment projects should be created, of key figures and works of architecture, fine arts, literature, music and all other fields.

The Armenian Church is the chairman of the preservation of cultural heritage. The greatest partner of the state in the preservation of ancient treasures is the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, with all its worldwide structures, its experience, its authority.

To pass the cultural heritage to the generations in a better condition than we received. this should be one of the most important tasks of the state and citizens. Bloom what you get, treating it with the utmost care and responsibility, but also with a creative approach, involving interesting and modern ideas, using innovative technologies, attracting more and more active public interest.

Searching for Armenian cultural wealth around the world with the help of creating a partnership and patronage network. Discovery of Armenian heritage works scattered around the world, care, if possible – return to Armenia, if impossible – creation of local guardian councils or involvement of individuals, cooperation with Armenian communities, philanthropists, church structures, scientific-museum institutions, etc.

Armenian culture is a natural part of world culture. with all its originality, it is important not to isolate the Armenian cultural heritage from the world, on the contrary, to constantly observe and popularize it as an active and viable element at all times. In this regard, cooperation with various cultural centers of the world, implementation of joint projects is important.

The cultural heritage of Artsakh is in the center of continuous attention. The search for ways to preserve and organize the possible care of Artsakh cultural and spiritual monuments should be continuous. With the involvement of international organizations, groups of cultural ambassadors, international groups of Christian pilgrims, international Christian structures and others, it is necessary to achieve that, so that visits become possible, at least for the purpose of recording and monitoring the situation.

At the same time, in Armenia, the greatest attention should be paid to the preservation of Artsakh’s non-cultural heritage: dialect, songs, folklore, dances and all other components. A separate extensive program is being prepared in this regard.

The ties with the Armenian Diaspora, the unity of the Armenian World should be the most important guarantee for the comprehensive protection and effective care of the Armenian cultural wealth around the world.

2. Contemporary art, creative industries

Modern art is first of all the creative individual. Every individual who creates in the territory of Armenia and enriches our current cultural layer with his unique creativity is the wealth of Armenia. Encouraging individual and group creativity should be emphasized not only in terms of creating a purely cultural product, but also in terms of the creative process itself. The needs of creative individuals and groups, the methods of their encouragement should be the constant and dynamic center of attention of the state and community culturally responsible circles.

– State-creator relations should be horizontal. The artist should not be in the role of asking the state for something. The state itself should create mechanisms to encourage the creative life of the artist.

– Employees of cultural institutions financed by state funds should not be considered as standard civil servants. People in the field of culture and art should enjoy enough freedom to create valuable creative works that express the spirit of the times. Censorship and the atmosphere that encourages self-censorship should be considered unacceptable in cultural institutions operating under the care of the state.

– The differences in the fields of art are also expressed by the difference in their needs. It is difficult to ensure access to creative resources for creative units in all sectors if there is no real understanding of their needs. In the conditions of today’s over-centralized ministry, there remains a very small field for real cooperation between a free artist and the state.

– It is necessary to distribute the funds allocated by the state to modern art in a targeted manner according to the sectors. The best way is independent cultural agencies or foundations, which will interact with their fields through professional councils, managing the funds allocated by the state according to the needs of the field. This will allow funds and programs to be delivered to a larger number of creators, will include creators and groups of diverse political views, and will create partnership, horizontal relationships.

– Encouraging creative unions should become one of the goals of the state cultural policy.

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Bagrat Archbishop Galstanyan defeated political scientist Harutyun Mkrtchyan in the defamation case. The case was examined in the court of general jurisdiction of the first instance of Armavir region, presided over by judge Hovhannes Melkonyan.

It should be noted that in one of his interviews given to “Armenian Time”, political scientist Harutyun Mkrtchyan questioned the statement of Bishop Bagrat to freeze the position of the head of the Diocese of Tavush, calling him a “self-frozen terter”, “deviant cleric”, “modern-day Osama bin Laden”, “Tasovchik” and so on. He also announced that the temporary suspension of the post of Bishop Bagrat means that the Catholicos justifies “murders of people”, “shooting under the walls”, “terrorist actions”, for which Archbishop Bagrat has now been charged.

“The court partially satisfied Bagrat Galstanyan’s claim against the defendant Harutyun Mkrtchyan. According to that, Mkrtchyan should compensate the reverend 600,000 drams, 300,000 drams each for defamation and insult episodes. With similar claims that we have applied to the court, all of them have been rejected, the courts did not dare to satisfy. We have appealed them to the appellate court. In this case, there is a final act, and if there is no appeal from the other side, it will enter into legal force,” lawyer Tatevik Soghoyan told Sputnik Armenia.

Let us add that Reverend Bagrat demanded from Harutyun Mkrtchyan to confiscate 3 million drams as compensation for non-material damages, of which 1.5 million for defamation and the other 1.5 million for insult.

To remind: Bagrat Archbishop Galstanyan was arrested in 2025. on the night of June 25-26. According to the RA Investigative Committee, the participants and leaders of the “Holy Struggle” movement had planned to carry out acts of terrorism and seizure of power in RA.

On August 21, according to the decision of judge Karen Farkhoyan, his detention period was extended by 3 months, on November 13 – by another three months, on April 23 – by 2 months.

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Former RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan stated that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s diplomatic inexperience has put Armenia in front of serious geopolitical challenges and security threats. He said this in a video message published on social networks.

According to Oskanyan, Pashinyan is not able to conduct a balanced policy between different power centers. As an example, the former minister recalled the meeting with the President of the Russian Federation in Moscow, noting that the Prime Minister gave a “wrong” answer regarding EAEU-EU relations.

“Even a 7th grade student would not give such an answer. Pashinyan is a person far from diplomacy, he has not learned anything during these years,” said Oskanyan.

According to him, all the severe consequences of recent years are caused by the fact that the authorities have always made wrong decisions when faced with a dilemma. Despite the European summits and various events held in Armenia, Oskanyan claims that Armenia-EU relations are in the weakest phase of the last three decades in terms of content.

The former foreign minister drew parallels with his term of office, noting that during those years, Armenia simultaneously developed relations with the European Union, NATO, Russia, the USA and other partners without aggravating relations. According to him, in previous years there were greater opportunities for visa liberalization and deepening of cooperation within the framework of the CEPA agreement.

Oskanyan also accused the current authorities of failing the biometric passport process, claiming that the process of visa liberalization was delayed for years as a result. In his assessment, real partnership has been replaced by a “show”, which has only deepened the tension in relations with Russia.

Referring to the thesis of the authorities that there will be a war after their departure, Oskanyan called it an “absolute lie”. According to him, scaring one’s own people with such threats should be criminally punishable. At the same time, he predicted a severe economic crisis in case of Pashinyan’s re-election.

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The impression of the first days of the campaign is unequivocal. Armenia, the Armenian people want changes. In all villages, in all settlements, in all cities, in all social classes, people want changes. Everyone is tired of this situation. This month will be the basis of changes. The new slogan of the “Proposal to Armenia” program, which came from direct contacts with the people, is to prepare for good changes.

We really need to be ready in the country, at the national level, at the community level, at the family level, at the personal level, in all environments. Armenia needs big changes, so we should be ready for good changes.

Vahe Hovhannisyan Alternative projects group

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These days, there is an atmosphere of preparation for victory in Baku.

While the Armenian society is mired in political turbulence, and the leadership of Armenia is moving towards the West, Baku is moving from words to action.

On June 18-19, a festival with the eloquent name “Return to Western Azerbaijan” will be held near Baku. This is a clear political signal. In Baku, they no longer act according to the logic of the status quo, but think about the “usurpation” of new territories, territories that are part of the sovereign territory of Armenia.

However, the main intrigue will be resolved much earlier, on June 7. Apparently, Ilham Aliyev is already preparing to celebrate the victory over Armenia.
The main instrument of that victory is not the weapon, but the upcoming elections in Armenia.

The reproduction of Nikol Pashinyan’s power in Yerevan will be a real victory for Baku. A government that is weak, dependent on external beneficiaries and has weak internal legitimacy is Azerbaijan’s best ally.

It was during Pashinyan’s rule that Armenia gave up Artsakh step by step, and today Armenia already limits its jurisdiction and sovereignty in its own territory.

Armenia is currently in the status of condemned. Armenia has found itself in deep political isolation. We have ruined relations with Russia, but we have not filled the security vacuum with new alliance ties.

The conflict with Moscow, groundless emotionally and pragmatically, collapsed the existing security system, and new ones were not created.

Armenia has appeared in a security vacuum.

Here the bitter truth must be told directly. The EU and the United States are unreliable partners. When it comes to real military support, Brussels and Washington remember their own interests first. No American soldier will stand at the border of Nakhichevan, no European observer will block the corridor with his body. The West has its interests in the South Caucasus, the service of which Armenia often puts in the status of a small coin.

The conflict with Russia will have severe economic and security consequences for Armenia.

The possible removal of Moscow from Armenia will create a vacuum, which will quickly be filled by the Azerbaijani-Turkish tandem. Baku clearly sees this vulnerability and only increases the pressure.

The consequence is inevitable. Today, Armenia, without allies, is defenseless against the aggressive ambitions of Azerbaijan and Turkey. Ankara and Baku are working in tandem to demand the Zangezur Corridor.

Armenia does not have and will not have serious support from the West. in western capitals they have other priorities.

That is why they are excited in Baku. If Pashinyan retains power again on June 7, the victory of Azerbaijan’s agenda will become final and irreversible.

This undesirable scenario for Armenia can be stopped only in one case: Armenian society must reject Pashinyan’s rule on June 7.

Political scientist Suren Surenyants

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H.E. Karekin the Second Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians sent a congratulatory message to the newly elected Head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio the Third.

The congratulatory letter of His Holiness specifically states: “Your election is a vivid testimony of your years of devoted service to the Church and people of Georgia. It is our prayer that the Almighty Lord, with His abundant graces, will always strengthen you in your high patriarchal mission, to lead the pious Georgian people with the paths of peace and blessings.

Your Holiness, beloved brother in Christ, the centuries-old fraternal ties between the Armenian and Georgian Churches, anchored on the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and rich spiritual and historical heritage, we are sure, will continue to serve as a solid foundation for the cooperation of our Churches, peoples and states during your Patriarchate.

His Holiness wished Shio the Third Catholicos-Patriarch good health, many years of fruitful pontifical service for the glory of God and for the good of the Church of Georgia and the faithful Georgian people.

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Foreign citizens can work in RA by obtaining a work permit and temporary residence status in advance. This was reported by the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

For this purpose, the employer can submit an application online on the workpermit.am unified electronic platform of the migration and citizenship service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

Work permit and temporary residence status is granted or denied within a maximum of 30 days from the date of submission of the application.

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Today, during the campaign in the Shengavit administrative district of Yerevan, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan approached Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan live and said something in his ear. Through the loudspeaker attached to the Prime Minister’s clothes, it was heard that Mirzoyan said that “the Turks are opening today, let’s prepare a welcoming text for the Foreign Ministry spokesperson.”

After the incident, the journalist asked Nikol Pashinyan what Ararat Mirzoyan meant. Pashinyan clarified that this refers to the change in the wording of the export of goods from Turkey to Armenia.

According to him, according to the legal regulations of the Turkish side, Armenia was not included in the list of countries, which is why the goods were first of all formulated as being exported to a third country, and then re-exported to Armenia.

“There are many Turkish-made products in Armenia, that is, they used to take them to another country, formulate them, bring them back, now they formulate it so that Armenia is mentioned directly, not physically, but as the country of delivery,” explained Pashinyan.

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