- Shoghik Galstian
A senior Armenian lawmaker nominated to the country’s Constitutional Court has stepped aside from a key parliamentary role as his candidacy continues to draw criticism from rights advocates and opposition members.
Vladimir Vardanian, who was until recently a prominent member of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s ruling Civil Contract party, declined on March 18 to chair a session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs, citing what he described as a need to avoid a “conflict of interest.”
Although parliament has not officially announced the termination of his powers, Vardanian chose not to preside over the session, citing the likelihood of his election as a Constitutional Court judge.
The move comes less than a week after President Vahagn Khachaturian nominated Vardanian for the post. If elected, Vardanian would also relinquish his parliamentary mandate.
Vardanian, who had been affiliated with Civil Contract for eight years, resigned from the ruling party days earlier to become formally nonpartisan, which is a requirement for serving in what is considered an independent judicial body. He said he accepted the nomination “with the understanding that my professional and academic experience could better serve the preservation and development of democratic values in Armenia.”
Since 2018, Vardanian has served as a lawmaker elected on the ruling party’s list and has chaired the influential Committee on State and Legal Affairs. In that role, he has backed a number of controversial laws promoted by the government, including a recent legislation aimed at the nationalization of the Electric Networks of Armenia.
Vardanian’s nomination has sparked concern among human rights activists as well as opposition figures, who question the implications for judicial independence.
Civil activist Daniel Ioannisian described the move as controversial, arguing that appointing individuals with recent party affiliations to high judicial posts undermines trust in the Constitutional Court. He noted that similar concerns had been raised over previous appointments to other state bodies. “These are serious issues that cannot be ignored,” Ioannisian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
Another rights advocate, Nina Karapetiants, went further, suggesting that the decision to nominate Vardanian, though formally made by the president, may in fact have been driven by the prime minister. She warned that the move could further erode public confidence in the Constitutional Court.
Karapetiants also argued that placing a loyal figure on the Constitutional Court could provide additional guarantees for the current government to maintain power, especially as the court may soon be called upon to consider such sensitive issues as election disputes, an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement, and a new draft constitution.
“No matter how hard they try to assure us now that they quit the party half an hour ago or a week ago, it will naturally not be convincing to anyone, because we have already seen this practice many times,” Karapetiants told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
Vardanian is expected to replace former Constitutional Court Chairman Hrair Tovmasian, whose mandate was terminated after a court ruling, upheld last month, found him guilty of exceeding his authority while serving as justice minister in 2010-2013.
Incidentally, one of the main arguments used by Pashinian and his allies in pushing for Tovmasian’s resignation as Constitutional Court chairman in 2019 was that he had been a member of the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia prior to assuming the role.
Representatives of the parliamentary majority have defended their broader record, insisting that over the past eight years they have taken necessary steps to ensure judicial independence. However, they have yet to publicly articulate a position on Vardanian’s nomination, saying the issue still needs to be discussed within the ruling party’s faction.
It remains unclear when Vardanian’s appointment will be discussed in parliament. Representatives of the opposition factions say they have not yet taken up the issue or formed a position on Vardanian’s candidacy.
—
Armenia Bloc Confirms Kocharyan as Prime Minister Candidate with Full Election
On March 16, Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a representative of the Supreme Body of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF Dashnaktsutyun) and a member of parliament from the Armenia bloc, announced the continuation of cooperation between the ARF and Armenia’s second president, Robert Kocharyan. “The Forward Party and many public figures have joined us, and we will participate in the elections with the Armenia bloc. We didn’t remain silent, we didn’t retreat, we didn’t hide. We fought during street protests, in parliament, and internationally,” Saghatelyan stated.
During the same announcement, Saghatelyan criticized Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, saying the anti-Armenian regime has declared the closure of the Third Republic and the formation of a Fourth Republic. “He destroyed Artsakh, and now he plans to destroy the Republic of Armenia,” he emphasized. He described the government’s vision of Armenia as a state dictated by Azerbaijan, lacking a church, history, identity, and an army, and dependent on the whims of Aliyev and Erdogan. “Our goal is to prevent the reproduction of the current regime and break the chain of concessions. There is no force in Armenia that can do this alone. I am directly addressing the opposition forces. We have no targets in the opposition; in the opposition field, we have partners for today’s and tomorrow’s struggle. We have only one target: the current government. We expect the same approach from other opposition forces,” he added.
Saghatelyan also addressed foreign actors, emphasizing that “The only entity that shapes power in Armenia is the citizen of Armenia. Any interference from any capital is unacceptable and condemnable for us,” the MP stated.
During a ceremony held in Yerevan on March 16, Anna Grigoryan, a member of parliament from the Armenia bloc, announced that Robert Kocharyan would be the bloc’s candidate for prime minister in the 2026 parliamentary elections. “We are determined, our goal is victory,” Kocharyan stated.
Speaking in Yerevan on March 16, Kocharyan criticized the current government, saying, “The evil that this government embodies will lose. I have fought them since the first days of their rise to power, and I will not rest until they are removed. Those responsible for the deaths of thousands of our heroes, those who surrendered Artsakh and today force the people to forget their heroic history, must be held accountable.”
Kocharyan also addressed what he described as dangerous reinterpretations of Armenian history and identity: “We live in strange times when they try to convince us that our rich history is a burden, that patriotism is outdated, and that identity is a seasonal fashion. We say ‘No!’ to these dangerous misunderstandings. For the Armenia bloc, our identity, our history, and our patriotism are the driving force behind building a modern and powerful country.”
He outlined his foreign policy vision, noting the collapse of the international order: “Today, the world has descended into chaos. Ensuring security remains one of Armenia’s primary tasks. Armenia needs a strong army, a strong leader, and a powerful ally to jointly neutralize all threats. Foreign policy must be predictable and reject exploiting differences between great powers. We are for peace with Azerbaijan, but this peace must be based on real guarantees, not symbolic promises.”
On the same day, Kocharyan introduced the Armenia bloc’s official slogan and competitive advantages for the elections. He emphasized experience and capability: “How should citizens decide who to vote for? Find a team that can combine fine-sounding statements with the ability to implement them. None of the candidates has as much experience in public administration, security, foreign policy, economics, and business as I do. The state is not a training ground for the inexperienced. This is our homeland, our land, which has given birth to intelligent and hardworking people worthy of a much better life.” He concluded with the bloc’s slogan: “Together we can!”
Kocharyan also presented plans to reform governance: “We will dramatically improve public administration. The current shameful model of ‘The Government is Me’ must be replaced by a collegial, inclusive model of ‘The Government is Us.’ The government is not a circus, the prime minister is not a clown, and the country’s budget is not a personal pocket. We will ensure order and economic growth, creating a modern, competitive industry and agriculture for exports. Economic growth must be reflected in citizens’ living standards. During my presidency, the economy and wages grew sixfold. We can achieve significant growth again, attracting domestic and foreign investment.”
He committed to social reforms, stating, “Pensions will rise sharply, with mandatory indexation to prevent devaluation. The transition to retirement should be rewarding. We are confident that poverty can be reduced by at least half. Popular health is a priority, ensuring accessible, high-quality healthcare for every citizen.”
Kocharyan addressed security concerns: “Crime has risen despite increased police funding. Political pressure on law enforcement must end. We will guarantee order on the streets and zero tolerance for drug addiction, which has become a national scourge. Those enjoying protection at the highest levels will be punished. People’s lives must be peaceful and predictable.”
Saghatelyan also emphasized Armenia bloc’s principles: “Our proposal is not endless war; it is to ensure dignified stability. We are coming to prevent war, protect territorial integrity, restore sovereignty, and secure our people. We aim to build a state not forced to make concessions. A real peace requires a strong army, intelligent diplomacy, and a powerful economy. Armenia must create its reality, with identity, language, culture, family, and the Armenian Apostolic Church at its foundation. Pan-Armenianism is central; the Diaspora is a participant in state-building. A national test awaits us: either us or them. We choose Armenia,” he stated.
Moreover, at Armenia’s request, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, said a rapid response team will be deployed to counter threats ahead of the country’s elections. “Supporting democratic resilience in our region remains crucial. We will not leave Armenia alone to face foreign interference. Democracies under pressure can count on Europe,” she noted.
—
RFE/RL – Kocharian To Lead Opposition Bloc In June Elections
- Ruzanna Stepanian
Armenia’s former President Robert Kocharian will take part in the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7 as the leader of the Hayastan Alliance and its candidate for prime minister.
The announcement was made on Monday evening in Yerevan by Anna Grigorian, a lawmaker representing the alliance in the current parliament, during an event held at the Karen Demirchian Sports and Concert Complex.
The Hayastan Alliance will comprise the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), a longstanding ally of Kocharian, and the Forward Party, whose leader finished second as the candidate of an alliance of opposition parties in last fall’s hotly contested municipal elections in Armenia’s Vagharshapat community.
“We are determined. Our goal is victory,” Kocharian said in his speech, expressing confidence that “the current government, which embodies evil, will be defeated.”
Hayastan, led by Kocharian, came in a distant second with 21 percent of the vote in the last parliamentary elections held in 2021. The ex-president has given several indications in recent months that he intended once again to top his alliance’s list of candidates in Armenia’s upcoming elections.
At a press conference in late January, Kocharian, who served as Armenia’s president for two consecutive five-year terms from 1998 to 2008, said: “As a leader capable of achieving quite serious successes in crisis situations and who has done it twice, I can do it a third time.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has expressed confidence that his ruling Civil Contract party will retain its parliamentary majority after the June 7 vote.
After visiting the southern provinces of Syunik and Vayots Dzor over the weekend as part of his ruling Civil Contract party’s regular regional tours, Pashinian said it is “quite realistic” for his party to secure a constitutional majority in the next parliament.
According to a poll conducted in February by the International Republican Institute, 24 percent of voters in Armenia would vote for Pashinian’s party if elections were held next Sunday.
The poll showed that the Strong Armenia Party, led by Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetian, would come second with 9 percent. Kocharian’s Hayastan Alliance and the bloc led by wealthy businessman Gagik Tsarukian were tied for third place with 3 percent each.
The same survey also found that about 30 percent of voters in Armenia remain undecided.
—
Armenpress: Robert Kocharyan to run as Armenia bloc’s PM candidate in 2026 ele
The “Armenia” bloc will take part in the parliamentary elections under the leadership of Armenia’s second president, Robert Kocharyan, the bloc’s lawmaker Anna Grigoryan said.
Grigoryan, a member of the National Assembly’s “Armenia” faction, said Kocharyan would be the bloc’s candidate for prime minister.
The “Armenia” bloc, led by Kocharyan, also participated in the 2021 parliamentary elections, receiving 269,481 votes, or 21.09%.
The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 7, 2026.
Published by Armenpress, original at
—
Armenpress: Armenian delegation participates in discussions on COP17 presidenc
By decision of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, an Armenian delegation is participating in meetings organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada, on March 9–11.
The meetings focus on shaping the priorities of the COP17 presidency and related preparatory work, Armenia’s Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan said on Facebook.
According to the minister, the key directions for organizing and preparing for COP17 in Armenia will be discussed during the three-day meetings.
A working meeting is also planned to address logistical and organizational issues of the summit, including the organization of the event, technical support for sessions, logistical processes, and information dissemination.
Matevosyan noted that the discussions represent an important step toward effective preparation for COP17 and will help coordinate approaches with international partners to ensure the summit is organized at a high level.
He added that the meetings will also provide an opportunity to gain new knowledge and experience, deepen cooperation with the CBD Secretariat and representatives of partner countries, and participate in the official sessions of the summit.
Published by Armenpress, original at
—
Ed Iskenderian, Hot Rod Pioneer Known as the ‘Camfather,’ Dies at 104
13 citizens were taken to the police on suspicion of drug possession
On March 8, an emergency happened in Yerevan.
Around 12:35 p.m., the Central Department of the Community Police Department of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs received operational information that in one of the popular gaming halls operating on Tumanyan Street, a certain Galust and Vle are organizing games for money and using drugs on the spot, and the necessary information is available on the phones of other organizers, and the drugs are kept under the refrigerator, reports Shamshyan.com.
Տեղում ոստիկանության Կենտրոնականի բաժնի ծառայողների կողմից ձեռնարկված միջոցառումների արդյունքում նշված հասցեից թմրանյութ պահելու և օգտագործելու անմիջականորեն ծագած կասկածանքով ձերբակալել և ոստիկանության Կենտրոնականի բաժին են տեղափոխել Արմավիրի մարզի բնակիչ 35-ամյա Սերգեյ Գ․-ն, Երևանի բնակիչ 45-ամյա Հայկ Հ․-ն, Լոռու մարզի բնակիչներ 29-ամյա Վարդան Գ․-ն, 35-ամյա Դավիթ Ս․-ն, 44-ամյա Արայիկ Ս․-ն և Երևանի բնակիչ 55-ամյա Արման A., who played card games at the mentioned address, as well as illegal drug possession, use, and illegal business activities, were arrested and detained by the Central Police 34-year-old Anna P., 61-year-old Amalya G., 29-year-old Suzanna K., 36-year-old Knarik A., 36-year-old Adrine M., 44-year-old Galust P. and 39-year-old Vladimir S. were transferred to the department.
According to the site’s information, while being taken out of the car in front of the administrative building of the Central Police Department, Araik S. and Vladimir S. threw away 0.49 grams of narcotics.
On the fact of the incident, documents were drawn up in the Central Department of the Police, which were transferred to the Investigative Department of the Kentron and Nork Marash administrative districts of the Investigative Department of the Yerevan City of the RA Investigative Committee.
—
‘Let them bang their heads against the wall’: Armenia’s government reacts to
Armenia and Greece aim to uphold international law: Speaker of Greek Parliament
20:08,
YEREVAN, 27 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Konstantinos Tasoulas welcomed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Greece and emphasized the centuries-old friendly relations between the two countries.
During the meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, the Greek parliamentary speaker assured that as a result of the visit, Armenian-Greek relations would be further enhanced and strengthened.
"Mr. Prime Minister, our two countries have consistently supported the international law, despite facing numerous challenges to our rights. We collaborate on both bilateral and international platforms with the aim of safeguarding the international law, which serves as the cornerstone of civilized cooperation," Tasoulas stated.
The Greek parliamentary speaker noted that only with cooperation and a commitment to the principles and norms of international law it is possible to move forward and have such friendly and allied relations as Greece has with Armenia.
Azerbaijani armed forces units discharged fire against Armenian combat positions near Verin Shorzha
The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia refutes the statement by the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan, which claimed that on February 24th, around 12:45 p.m., Armenian Armed Forces units had allegedly fired toward Azerbaijani positions in the eastern part of the border. This claim does not align with reality.
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia informs that on February 24th, at approximately 12:30 p.m., in the Gegharkunik region. The fire was directed towards the Armenian positions from the Azerbaijani position located at the following coordinates:
40 °05'31.68" N,
45 °52'51.44" E.