Psychologist: Pashinyan’s campaign tactics aim to instill fear before June 7 v

With Armenia set to hold parliamentary elections on June 7, psychologist Karine Nalchajyan has sharply criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s campaign behavior, calling it deliberate and dangerous rather than spontaneous.

In an interview with Panorama.am on Tuesday, Nalchajyan described Pashinyan’s recent public appearances as “true to his nature” but argued they are carefully staged. “To call it naive or spontaneous would itself be naive. This is purposeful behavior. He is dangerous from every perspective,” she said.

Nalchajyan outlined several dimensions of the prime minister’s approach:

Struggling to retain power: She said Pashinyan recognizes his political footing is weakening and therefore seeks to secure votes through highly visible campaign events.

Silencing critics: According to Nalchajyan, dissenting voices are quickly punished, with some facing detention within hours, creating what she described as “an atmosphere of fear.”

Eroding political standards: She accused Pashinyan of deliberately lowering the tone of political discourse, using coarse language and behavior to provoke opponents into responding in kind, which then gives him grounds for retaliation.

Undermining Armenia’s image: Nalchajyan claimed one of Pashinyan’s aims is to humiliate Armenia internationally, diminishing the country’s standing abroad.

She warned that the risks to Armenia grow daily while Pashinyan and his team remain in power. 

“Our ballots carry real weight for the future of the country and people. In these final days, we must stay resilient and make our voices heard at the polls,” the psychologist said.