Only citizens holding exclusively Armenian passports can participate as candidates in Armenia’s upcoming elections, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, stressing that this requirement stems from the country’s Constitution.

Pashinyan addressed domestic political developments during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that Armenia is a democratic country where political activity is a natural process.

“We are approaching parliamentary elections, which are, in fact, also elections for the Prime Minister,” he said.

“Only citizens who hold exclusively Armenian passports can take part in these elections. In other words, individuals holding Russian passports cannot be candidates for either members of parliament or Prime Minister under the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia,” Pashinyan stated.

He added that this restriction is legal in nature and applies to all dual citizens, regardless of political position.

Pashinyan also noted that political processes in Armenia are ongoing and that social networks are fully free, which, he said, sometimes causes criticism.

Earlier, Russian President Putin said there are many pro-Russian political forces and figures in Armenia, noting that some of them are currently imprisoned. He expressed hope that these forces would be able to participate in the country’s political processes, while emphasizing that Russia does not interfere in Armenia’s internal affairs.