Armenian human rights activist Nina Karapetyants warned that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan could move the country toward authoritarian rule if re-elected, urging voters to participate widely in the upcoming elections.

Speaking to Panorama.am on Friday, Karapetyants said her analysis of Pashinyan’s actions indicates that he is moving toward establishing a dictatorship in order to implement what she described as anti-Armenian projects.

She argued that implementing such policies would require “total control”, noting that while segments of Armenian society continue to express dissent, that resistance could weaken if the current political systems are altered.

Karapetyants also raised concerns about potential shifts in key national issues, including the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and changes to educational materials.

Framing the election as pivotal, she called on citizens to vote regardless of political affiliation, emphasizing the importance of broad public participation.

“This is not just an election,” she said. “It is a struggle to preserve Armenia.”