Armenia approves new government as Pashinyan promises appointments based on me

Alongside the opening of Armenia‘s 9th parliamentary term, the country formed a new government. In line with the constitution, Nikol Pashinyan took office as prime minister. He headed the electoral list of the Civil Contract party, which won a parliamentary majority.

The party submitted the required nomination documents for its leader to President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who then signed a decree appointing Pashinyan as prime minister.

On the previous day, at the proposal of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and by decree of President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Deputy Prime Ministers Mher Grigoryan and Tigran Khachatryan were reappointed to their posts.

Most cabinet ministers were also reappointed.

Changes were made in the prime minister’s office. Former chief adviser to the prime minister and former Armenian ambassador to the United States, Lilit Makunts, has been appointed chief of staff. Her predecessor, Araik Harutyunyan, became an MP with the ruling Civil Contract faction on August 2.

At the same time, Pashinyan announced that he plans to appoint graduates of leading universities from around the world, selected through the government’s talent pool, to senior positions in the government.

“You will soon see these decisions implemented in practice,” the prime minister said.

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Almost all ministers kept their portfolios

At Prime Minister Pashinyan’s recommendation, the following ministers retained their posts:

• Defence – Suren Papikyan,
• Internal Affairs – Arpine Sargsyan,
• Foreign Affairs – Ararat Mirzoyan,
• Territorial Administration and Infrastructure – David Khudatyan,
• Environment – Hambardzum Matevosyan,
• Health – Anahit Avanesyan,
• Education, Science, Culture and Sport – Zhanna Andreasyan,
• Justice – Srbuhi Galyan,
• Labour and Social Affairs – Arsen Torosyan,
• Economy – Gevorg Papoyan,
• Finance – Vahe Hovhannisyan.

Only High-Tech Industry Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan did not keep his post. Pashinyan had previously said that Hayrapetyan himself had decided to step down.

David Tadevosyan replaced him. The prime minister introduced the new minister to ministry staff today. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan also attended the meeting. He said he would remain available around the clock if the new minister or his team needed advice.

“I am ready to contribute my modest knowledge and experience whenever you feel the need,” the former minister said.

David Tadevosyan graduated from the National Polytechnic University of Armenia. Between 2012 and 2014, he studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a Master of Science in Engineering and Management.

Before taking up the ministerial post, Tadevosyan served as acting director of International Radio Network CJSC. Between 2024 and 2025, he headed Afeyan Initiatives for Armenia, an organisation founded by Armenian-American businessman, scientist and philanthropist Noubar Afeyan. Earlier in his career, Tadevosyan worked for the mining company Vallex Group, the Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Technologies, and SberSpinoff.

More than 1,000 applications for the government’s talent pool

On 15 June, shortly after his Civil Contract party won the 2026 parliamentary elections, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan invited graduates of the world’s leading universities to join the government. He encouraged them to put their knowledge and professional experience to work in public administration.

Today, the prime minister said the initiative had attracted strong interest, with the government receiving 1,141 applications.

“Following the initial screening, 459 candidates – around 40% of all applicants – advanced to the second stage. The average age of the candidates is 34,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister announced that the government would create a talent pool based on interview results and professional assessments. Officials will match the selected candidates’ education, work experience and professional skills with the specific needs of the public administration system.

He added that candidates included in the talent pool could receive offers for positions in the public sector or other forms of cooperation during the course of this year.