Hrant Mikaelian - Poland’s Shift, RPA’s Nominee, Economy, Demographics | Ep 444, June 8, 2025 [EP444]

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Guest:

• Hrant Mikaelian

Topics:

• Ukraine’s War, Poland’s Pivot?
• Status Check on the Economy
• RPA Names PM Candidate
• Armenia’s Demographic Threats
• The Kitchen Sink

Episode 444 | Recorded: June 9, 2025

Show Notes

In this Week in Review episode, Groong hosts unpack a tense week in Armenian politics and society. Prime Minister Pashinyan intensifies his attacks on the Armenian Church, while the ruling Civil Contract party faces mounting criticism over corruption and nepotism. The opposition RPA nominates a symbolic candidate for prime minister amid an unlikely impeachment effort. Meanwhile, Armenia’s economy shows cracks beneath reported growth, Georgia tightens trade routes, and demographic warnings grow starker as birthrates plummet and emigration continues. The episode also touches on global shifts, including the Ukraine war and Poland’s presidential pivot, framing Armenia’s challenges in a broader geopolitical context.

Main Topics Addressed

• Pashinyan’s Campaign Against the Armenian Church

  • Escalation of attacks on the Church and the Catholicos
  • Strategic goal of capturing the Church institutionally
  • Levon Ter-Petrosyan publicly backs the Church; Pashinyan retaliates

• Developments in the Ukraine War and Poland’s Presidential Election

  • Russia preparing retaliation following Ukraine’s “Spiderweb” operation
  • Trump and Nawrocki echo skepticism of Zelensky
  • Potential long-term weakening of EU anti-Russia unity

• Armenia’s Strained Relations with Georgia and Russia

  • Georgian obstruction of Armenian exports
  • Matviyenko’s visit fails to yield approval for Russian consulate in Kapan

• Status Check on Armenia’s Economy

  • Reported 5.2% growth contrasts with deeper economic issues
  • Decline in re-exports, industrial output down 18.5%
  • Budget shortfalls, defense under-spending, and questionable foreign borrowing

• RPA Names PM Candidate for Impeachment

  • David Hambardzumyan, Masis Mayor, proposed as symbolic but obscure candidate
  • Unlikelihood of impeachment process succeeding

• Demographic Challenges Facing Armenia

  • Birth rates remain low; aging population and emigration worsening the problem
  • Collapse among Artsakh refugees
  • Government attacks on the Church may further harm social structures

Key Questions Discussed

• Why is Pashinyan intensifying his attacks on the Armenian Church?
• How will Nawrocki’s win affect Poland’s position on EU enlargement and Ukraine?
• What are the root causes of Armenia’s weakening economy despite official growth claims?
• What’s behind Georgia’s trade disruptions with Armenia?
• Is the RPA’s impeachment plan serious, or just political theater?
• How deep is Armenia’s demographic threat, and what role does policy—and culture—play?

Referenced Articles & Sources

• ANCA: Ahmad Shahidov threatens invasion of Armenia
• Hetq.am: Ptghni land corruption scandal
• Hetq.am: Continued investigation of Ptghni scandal
• Iravaban.net: Tigran Avinyan’s declaration of assets
• Yerevan.today: More on Avinyan and crypto assets
• Factor.am: Gohar Abajyan heads Enterprise Armenia
• LA Opera names Domingo Hindoyan as music director
• TotalEnergies signs gas deal with Azerbaijan
• NATO’s NSPA signs agreement with Turkish defense firms
• BP announces solar project in Artsakh

Wrap-up

That’s our show! We hope you found it useful. Please find us on Social Media and follow us everywhere you get your Armenian news.

Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.

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