Parties and Alliances in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 548, May 22, 2026 [EP548]

Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics | Series: cog, video

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Topics:

  • Armenia’s election rules
  • Parties and alliances competing
  • MPG polling and thresholds
  • Opposition challenges and turnout
  • Geopolitical positions heatmap

Episode 548 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #ArmenianPolitics #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #HayastanDashinq

Show Notes

Summary

This Conversations on Groong episode provides a primer on Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections, reviewing the 17 parties and 2 alliances registered to compete. The discussion explains the election rules, thresholds, coalition process, and the “stable majority” mechanism, while stressing the uneven political environment facing opposition forces. The episode then walks through each participant, including Civil Contract, Strong Armenia, Armenia Alliance, Prosperous Armenia, Wings of Unity, Bright Armenia, ANC, Bever, Republic, DOK, Democratic Consolidation, and smaller parties with limited visibility or missing programs. The hosts compare party leaders, alliances, campaign programs, polling numbers, foreign policy orientations, and positions on major issues such as Artsakh, Russia, the West, Iran, TRIPP, CSTO, and opposition unity. The episode also introduces a geopolitical heatmap to help listeners see where the main forces stand and which parties appear most likely to enter parliament based on MPG polling.

Show Notes

This Conversations on Groong episode provides a voter-oriented primer on Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections. The hosts review the election rules, the proportional system, thresholds, coalition mechanics, and the “stable majority” provision, then assess the broader political environment facing the opposition. The discussion also explains how MPG polling, party programs, CEC candidate lists, and geopolitical positioning help clarify which parties may be viable, what they stand for, and how they differ on Artsakh, Russia, Iran, TRIPP, the EU, the U.S., and Armenia’s regional security choices.

Topics Covered

  • Armenia’s 2026 parliamentary election rules
  • Party thresholds and coalition mechanics
  • MPG polling and electoral viability
  • Opposition challenges and turnout
  • Party programs and missing platforms
  • Geopolitical alignment and security positions
  • Artsakh return, TRIPP, Russia, Iran, EU, U.S.

Key Questions Discussed

  • How does Armenia’s proportional election system work?
  • What vote thresholds must parties and alliances clear?
  • What happens if no party wins a governing majority?
  • Which parties appear viable based on MPG polling?
  • Which parties have official programs on the CEC website?
  • How do the main forces differ on foreign policy?
  • Which parties support Artsakh Armenians’ right of return?
  • How do parties divide over Russia, Iran, TRIPP, the EU, and the U.S.?
  • What role could turnout play in shaping the final result?

The Rules of the Election

  • Armenia’s National Assembly elections use a proportional representation system.

  • Voters choose a party or alliance list, not individual candidates.

  • Parties and alliances submit closed candidate lists to the Central Electoral Commission.

  • Seats are distributed based on each force’s vote share, but only if that force clears the legal threshold.

  • Thresholds:

    • Single parties: at least 4%
    • Two-party alliances: at least 8%
    • Three-party alliances: at least 9%
    • Four-or-more-party alliances: at least 10%

  • There is no minimum turnout requirement. The election is valid regardless of turnout.

  • The National Assembly has 101 seats, with up to four additional seats reserved for national minorities:

    • Yezidis
    • Russians
    • Assyrians
    • Kurds

  • Candidate lists must include at least 30% women.

  • No more than 30% of candidates on a list may be non-party “independent” candidates.

  • If one force wins more than half the seats, it can form a government alone.

  • Armenia has a “stable majority” rule: if the winning force does not reach 52% of mandates, it may receive extra seats to reach that level.

  • If no force can govern alone, parties have six days after preliminary results to form a coalition and agree on a prime ministerial candidate.

  • If no coalition is formed, a second round is held 28 days after the first vote.

  • Only the top two forces from the first round take part in the runoff.

  • The runoff winner receives enough extra mandates to hold a 52% majority.

  • Campaign finance rules require each force to use a transparent pre-election fund.

  • Registration deposits:

    • Parties: 7.5 million AMD
    • Alliances: 15 million AMD

  • Deposits are refundable if:

    • A party receives at least 2%
    • An alliance receives at least 4%

  • Campaign spending is capped at 800 million AMD.

  • An additional 200 million AMD is allowed if there is a second round.

  • Foreign funding and foreign interference are formally prohibited.

2026 Election Political Parties

Party List

  1. Reformist Party
  2. Against All Democratic Party
  3. Strong Armenia Alliance
  4. Meritocratic Party of Armenia
  5. New Power Reformist Party
  6. Wings of Unity
  7. Prosperous Armenia
  8. National Democratic Panarmenian Party (Bever)
  9. National Revival Kochari and Awakening of the Nation Party
  10. Armenian National Congress
  11. Republic Party
  12. Christian-Democrat Party
  13. New Power - Progressive Centrist Party “Alliance”
  14. Democratic Consolidation Party
  15. Democratic Law Discipline Party
  16. Civil Contract Party
  17. Armenia Political Parties Alliance
  18. For the Republic Alliance of Democracy Defenders Party
  19. Bright Armenia Party

1. Reformist Party / Ռեֆորմիստների կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 0.1%

Top 3 Candidates

  1. Vagharshak Harutyunyan - National Rebirth Party
  2. Vahan Babayan - Reformist Party
  3. Ani Nerkanyan - Non-party

Party Description

Founded in 2016 by Vahan Babayan. Viewed as a marginal player that draws small amounts of protest votes away from the opposition. Failed to secure results in the 2018 Yerevan elections.

Collaboration With Nikol Pashinyan

Head of list Vagharshak Harutyunyan had his rank restored by Pashinyan in 2019. He served as Minister of Defense from 2020 to 2021 after the war, signing the withdrawal agreement ceding territory. He later served as Ambassador to Russia from 2022 to 2024. He is seen as a compliant “yes man” to the regime.

Candidate Context

Vagharshak Harutyunyan

  • Former Defense Minister from 1999 to 2000.
  • Sacked by Kocharyan.
  • Rank restored after the 2018 coup.
  • Appointed defense minister after the 2020 war.
  • Signed Armenian withdrawal from Goris-Kapan highway segments.

Vahan Babayan

  • Founded party in 2016.
  • Demanded Pashinyan’s resignation after the 2020 war.
  • Positions party as opposition, but is seen as drawing votes from main blocs.

2. Against All Democratic Party / «Բոլորին դեմ եմ» ժողովրդավարական կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2026-05-22): 1.9%

Top 3 Candidates

  1. Spartak Kyureghyan - Against All Democratic Party
  2. Ishkhan Gevorgyan - Against All Democratic Party
  3. Nina Karapetyants - PM candidate, non-party

Party Focus and Profile

Orientation and Goals

Single-issue protest movement seeking a 100-day interim government to change the election code and lower thresholds. Viewed as a potential “spoiler” force. MPG poll rating grew from 0.6% to 1.9% between April and May.

Base and Controversies

The base consists largely of youth, IT professionals, and NGO workers. Many members are former members of the Citizen’s Decision / Քաղաքացու Որոշում party, which was formed in November 2018 as the “guarantor” of the aims and aspirations of the “Velvet Revolution.”

Candidate Context

Nina Karapetyants

  • Long-time NGO worker and human-rights activist.
  • Serves as the public face of the movement’s interim government proposal.

Spartak Kyureghyan

  • Leading figure of the “Against All” single-issue movement.
  • Advocates for major electoral reforms and an “Against All” ballot option.
  • Party may attract “name recognition” protest votes.

3. Strong Armenia Alliance / «Ուժեղ Հայաստան» դաշինք

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 14.9%

Key Candidates

  1. Narek Karapetyan - Strong Armenia Party
  2. Aram Vardevanyan - Strong Armenia Party
  3. Gohar Meloyan - Strong Armenia Party

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Orientation and Mandate

Founded by billionaire and major Armenian benefactor Samvel Karapetyan. Strong Armenia is framed as a state-capacity, sovereignty-first force focused on economic restoration, defense rebuilding, and national-interest protection. The party has a mandatory constitutional reform plank to allow Samvel Karapetyan to serve as PM despite residency and citizenship constraints.

Regime Pressure and Disinformation

Operating with “two hands tied” due to the arrest of Samvel Karapetyan, top leadership such as Arthur Avanesyan, and many activists and organizers. Faces state-led disinformation that Karapetyan is a “Russian agent” and that Narek Karapetyan is a Russian citizen. Russian officials have formally denied the citizenship claims.

Supporting Parties and Alliances

Electoral Bloc Partners

  • “United Armenians” party, Nairi Sargsyan
  • “New Era” party, Harutyun Harutyunyan

Non-bloc Supporting Members

  • Freedom Party, Hrant Bagratyan
  • Heritage Party, Raffi Hovhannisyan
  • Hayaqve, Avetik Chalabyan
  • Democratic National Movement, Vazgen Manukyan
  • Aprelu Yerkir, Country to Live

4. Meritocratic Party of Armenia / Հայաստանի Շնորհապետական կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 2.8%

Key Candidates

  1. Gurgen Simonyan - Meritocratic Party
  2. Edvard Antinyan - Non-member
  3. Lusine Mkrtchyan - Meritocratic Party

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Core Political Philosophy and Sovereignty

Advocates for a “meritocracy” system, meaning governance by the capable, and a state centered on Armenian national interests. Simonyan promotes the “Dignified Peace” doctrine, rejecting unilateral concessions and stressing that sovereignty is maintained through strategic self-reliance and rebuilding national defense capacity.

Strategic Alliances and Regional Security

Identifies Russia as a strategic threat and calls for Armenia’s exit from the CSTO and EAEU. Proposes deep security integration with the West and the EU. Views the “Crossroads of Peace” as a potential risk to Armenian logistics and advocates for a multi-vector foreign policy that prioritizes regional partners who respect Armenia’s territorial integrity.

Political Objectives and Stance

Gurgen Simonyan

  • Demands immediate restructuring of the state security apparatus.
  • Rejects collaboration with former and current regimes.
  • Advocates for a merit-based civil service over political appointments.

Party Positioning

  • Positions itself as a technocratic alternative to populist blocs.
  • Gaining traction among disillusioned diaspora circles.
  • MPG poll growth reflects rising anti-establishment sentiment.

5. New Power Party / «Նոր ուժ» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 2.7%

Key Candidates

  1. Haik Marutyan - New Power Party
  2. Hakob Karapetyan - New Power Party
  3. Narine Aramyan - New Power Party

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Orientation and “Third Way” Platform

Oriented toward the West and Europe, and positioned as a “third way” for voters disillusioned with both the current government and the pre-2018 order. Focuses on anti-corruption, municipal-level reform, and a social-democratic, “European-model” development path for Armenia.

Collaboration With Civil Contract and Criticisms

Marutyan participated in the 2018 regime change and collaborated with Pashinyan’s party even after the 2020 catastrophe, serving as mayor of Yerevan until Civil Contract removed him in December 2021. He introduced the divisive “black vs. white” rhetoric in the 2018 Yerevan city elections.

Political Objectives and Stance

Hayk Marutyan

  • Transitioned from ally to vocal critic of Pashinyan.
  • Highly popular due to “Hayko & Mko” comedy background.
  • Wealthy candidate with extensive real-estate holdings.

Strategic Positioning

  • Campaigns largely based on Marutyan’s name recognition.
  • Explicitly rules out alliances with Civil Contract or the “old elite.”
  • No program listed on CEC; running an independent campaign.

6. Wings of Unity / «Միասնության թևեր» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 5.8%

Key Candidates

  1. Arman Tatoyan - Non-party member
  2. Davit Ananyan - Wings of Unity Party
  3. Astghik Matikyan - Wings of Unity Party

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Orientation and Nationalist Platform

Program linked to traditional nationalist values. Founder Arman Tatoyan, the PM candidate, is listed as a non-party candidate on CEC documents. Tatoyan holds an anti-Pashinyan, opposition-trending position since entering politics.

Collaboration With the Pashinyan Regime

Tatoyan remained Ombudsman after 2020, staying out of inter-party politics despite Pashinyan’s policies. Davit Ananyan, second on the list, headed the State Revenue Committee under Pashinyan until 2020.

Planks and Strategic Positioning

Key Policy Planks

  • Sovereignty-first foreign policy and legal defense for Artsakh Armenians.
  • Stronger army, border security, economic renewal, and social support.
  • Conditional support for regional connectivity projects.

Opposition Risks and Alliances

  • Shant Harutyunyan brings strong anti-Russian tendencies to the list.
  • Risk of “vaporizing” opposition votes if the threshold is not cleared.
  • Collaboration with HayaQve failed; HayaQve joined Strong Armenia instead.

7. Prosperous Armenia Party / «Բարգավաճ Հայաստան» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 8.7%

Key Candidates

  1. Gagik Tsarukyan - Prosperous Armenia Party
  2. Andranik Tevanyan - Mother Armenia
  3. Luiza Sargsyan - Prosperous Armenia Party

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Profile and Regional Influence

Led by Gagik Tsarukyan, one of Armenia’s wealthiest individuals. The party maintains a strong reputation in the regions, especially Kotayk, driven by philanthropic activity and local employment.

Electoral Ticket Composition

While running under the “Prosperous Armenia” banner, the ticket includes members from two other parties who would serve as independent MPs. Includes notable non-party figures such as former Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazyan, who served from November 2020 to May 2021, and is known for his reputable standing and eventual resignation over policy disagreements.

Supporting Parties

  • Mother Armenia, Andranik Tevanyan
  • Democratic Alternative Party, Suren Surenyants

8. National Democratic Union / Bever / «Ազգային ժողովրդավարական բևեռ» համահայկական կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 0.2%

Key Candidates

  1. Gevorg Karapetyan - NDU / Bever
  2. Gevorg Safaryan - NDU / Bever
  3. Armine Sakhoyan - NDU / Bever

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Profile and Platform

A radical, pro-Western fringe group advocating for an immediate, total break from Russian security and economic influence. Positions Armenia as the legal successor of the First Republic, 1918-1920. Proposes a “transitional state” model through an anti-crisis government.

Controversies and Background

Rebranded from Sasna Tsrer, which was involved in the 2016 police station seizure. Employs U.S. lobbyists, Livingston Group. Its foreign-policy advocate Ara Papian supports Treaty of Sevres claims over “Western Armenia,” often criticized as unrealistic given current security priorities.

Planks and Strategic Positioning

Foreign Policy and Territorial Claims

  • Strategic cooperation with the U.S., Iran, and India.
  • Rejection of extraterritorial “corridors.”
  • “Nation-army” concept with high defense spending and professionalization.
  • Artsakh: defines 2023 as ethnic cleansing and demands safe return under international supervision.

9. National Revival Kochari and Awakening of the Nation Party / «Քոչարի ազգային վերածնունդ և ազգի զարթոնք» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 0.4%

Key Candidates

  1. Artak Sargsyan - Kochari
  2. Hmayak Hovhannisyan - Kochari
  3. Lilit Kchoyan - disqualified by CEC

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Orientation and Nationalist Platform

A nationalist party focused on cultural and national identity. It largely acts as an auxiliary force for the former opposition spectrum, known as the “Nakhkins.” Believed to be opposition-aligned and strongly anti-Pashinyan.

Candidate Background and Challenges

Artak Sargsyan is the PM candidate. Information on his background is limited, but in Kenya he is known as “Arthur” from the “Arthur brothers” scandal. The party program is missing from the CEC website. Hmayak Hovhannisyan is a prominent Armenian political scientist and former member of parliament.

Planks and Strategic Positioning

Key Tenets and Security

  • Protection of national values and national revival.
  • Creation of a powerful army and a reliable security system.
  • Preservation of a sovereign state.

10. Armenian National Congress / Հայ ազգային կոնգրես կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 0.3%

Key Candidates

  1. Levon Zurabyan - ANC
  2. Aram Manukyan - ANC
  3. Tatev Zoryan - ANC

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Foreign Policy and Strategic Orientation

ANC advocates for a realist, multi-vector platform and neutrality in the West-Russia confrontation. ANC positions Armenia as a bridge, not a battlefield. It supports a “TRIPP+BRICS” concept to turn Armenia into an international transit hub linking North-South and East-West routes.

Candidate Profile and Artsakh Stance

Headed by Levon Zurabyan. The party advocates closing the “Artsakh page” regarding the conflict while supporting the collective right of return, property rights, and legal protection in international courts. It focuses on socio-economic integration of refugees in Armenia.

Planks and Strategic Positioning

Security, Infrastructure, and Energy

  • Strong focus on the Armenia-Iran railway and North-South connectivity linking India, China, and Europe.
  • Proposes a new nuclear plant based on Russia’s offer.
  • Maintains ties for gas and energy security.
  • Rebuilds the army through defense tech and R&D for drones, AI, and military electronics.

11. Republic Party / «Հանրապետություն» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 1.3%

Key Candidates

  1. Aram Z. Sargsyan - Republic Party
  2. Anahit Adamyan - Republic Party
  3. Ani Khachatryan - Republic Party

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Pro-Western and Strategic Alignment

Aram Z. Sargsyan is firmly pro-Western and highly critical of Russia. The party is ideologically aligned with Civil Contract’s goals regarding European integration and is seen as a reliable ally capturing Western-leaning voters without challenging Pashinyan’s core governance.

Strategic Westernization and Exit From Russian Structures

Advocates for total security realignment: leaving the joint Armenia-Russia air-defense system, CSTO, CIS, and EAEU. Calls for Armenia to build closer ties with the U.S., France, and EU, targeting EU membership by 2032 and using TRIPP as a core tool for sovereignty.

Planks and Strategic Positioning

Key Program Planks

  • Security: exit CSTO and seek mutual-assistance agreements with the U.S. and France.
  • Energy and economy: pursue modular nuclear projects with the West; reduce Russian capital in mining.
  • Foreign policy: establish diplomatic relations and fully unblock with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

12. Christian-Democrat Party / «Քրիստոնեա-ժողովրդավարական» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 0.2%

Key Candidates

  1. Levon Shirinyan - CDP
  2. Argisht Tadevosyan - CDP
  3. Silva Sahakyan - CDP

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Profile and Ideology

A small party driven by traditional and conservative values. It is firmly pro-Western and anti-Russian. The party is generally aligned with the Pashinyan administration on foreign policy.

Documentation and Challenges

The party program is missing from the CEC website, making detailed policy analysis difficult.

Planks and Strategic Positioning

Key Tenets

  • Promotion of traditional and conservative societal values.
  • Commitment to a pro-Western foreign-policy orientation.
  • Opposition to Russian influence in Armenia.

13. Progressive Centrist Party “Alliance” / «Ալյանս» առաջադիմական ցենտրիստական կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 0.1%

Key Candidates

  1. Tigran Urikhanyan - disqualified by CEC
  2. Ashot Galstyan - Alliance
  3. Gohar Hovhannisyan - Alliance

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Profile and Candidate Background

Tigran Urikhanyan, a former Prosperous Armenia MP, is currently in Moscow and pursued by Armenia for corruption and calls to seize power. The party is viewed as an electoral dead-end with no ties to major power centers.

Challenges and Populism

Focuses on socio-economic populism. The party program is missing from the CEC website. Tigran Urikhanyan’s name is crossed out in CEC listings, confirming his disqualification.

Planks and Strategic Positioning

Key Tenets and Positioning

  • Wants to bring back the death penalty to punish all “traitors.”

14. Democratic Consolidation Party / «Ժողովրդավարական համախմբում» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 0.1%

Key Candidates

  1. Suren Petrosyan - Democratic Consolidation
  2. Vardan Ayvazyan - Democratic Consolidation
  3. Hasmik Gabrielyan - Democratic Consolidation

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Profile and Candidate Background

Suren Petrosyan claims to have started the “Tavush for Homeland” movement, but allegedly disappeared during the June 12 events. He later claimed government officials showed him “scary stuff,” leading to perceptions that he betrayed Bagrat Srbazan.

Strategy and Positioning

A national-sovereigntist, anti-establishment platform, anti-Pashinyan and anti-former-regime. Rejects “orientation politics” for “self-determination,” prioritizing national interest over choosing between great powers.

Foreign Policy Balance

A “balance doctrine”: calls Russia a strategic ally, the U.S. an important partner, and seeks strategic-level ties with Iran, Georgia, China, and India. Rejects anti-Western or anti-Russian lines.

Planks and Strategic Positioning

Key Tenets and Artsakh

  • State priority: return of Artsakh Armenians under international law.
  • Calls for a deep review of the Syunik “corridor” logic and unblocking process.
  • Emphasizes meritocracy, stopping brain drain, and nationalization of subsoil resources.

15. Democratic Law Discipline / DOK Party / «Դեմոկրատիա, օրենք, կարգապահություն» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 3.4%

Key Candidates

  1. Vardan Ghukasyan - DOK, disqualified by CEC
  2. Levon Baghdasaryan - Non-party member
  3. Anna Ghukasyan - DOK

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Profile and Ideology

Known for aggressive, populist anti-establishment rhetoric. Serves as a protest vehicle for disillusioned voters hostile to both the current administration and old opposition. Leader Vardan Ghukasyan is currently disqualified and believed to be in U.S. detention.

Strategy and Positioning

Anti-privilege, sovereigntist “balance doctrine” platform. Focuses on cutting state waste, including service cars and perks, making spending transparent, and judicial reform via digital tools and legal vetting.

Foreign Policy Doctrine

Rejects “camp politics” and sharp geopolitical turns. Calls for reworked relations with Russia based on sovereignty, deeper dialogue with the U.S., and using EU ties for governance reform. Prioritizes logistics and energy security with Iran and Georgia.

Planks and Strategic Positioning

Key Tenets and Artsakh

  • Artsakh: demands safe, dignified return of Armenians to historical homes as a peace prerequisite.
  • Governance: severe reduction of state privileges and service cars to break the power-privilege link.
  • Regional: normalization with Turkey without preconditions while preserving equality.

16. Civil Contract Party / «Քաղաքացիական պայմանագիր» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 28.8%

Key Candidates

  1. Nikol Pashinyan - Civil Contract
  2. Ararat Mirzoyan - Civil Contract
  3. Anahit Avanesyan - Civil Contract

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Profile and Post-War Pivot

Shifted from 2021 promises of “de-occupation” of Shushi and Hadrut to claiming Artsakh was never Armenian. Now treats the issue as closed, referring to refugees as “escapees,” while claiming surrendering Artsakh strengthened independence.

Strategic Failures and Concessions

Repeatedly complies with Aliyev’s demands for concessions. Failed to prevent the 2023 ethnic cleansing or secure the release of detainees in Baku. Interferes in Church affairs in violation of the constitution.

Territorial Integrity and Security

According to Harout Sassounian, the administration has allowed the Azerbaijani army to occupy parts of the Republic of Armenia since 2021-2022 after mismanagement of the 2020 war.

Planks and Strategic Positioning

Key Tenets and Podcast Insight

  • Analysis: watch our podcast for a deep dive into these shifting narratives.
  • Policy shift: moved from “Artsakh is Armenia, period” in 2022 to recognizing it as part of Azerbaijan.
  • Responsibility: direct political responsibility for the post-2020 war aftermath.

17. Hayastan Dashink / «Հայաստան» կուսակցությունների դաշինք

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 12.1%

Key Candidates

  1. Robert Kocharyan - Non-party
  2. Ishkhan Saghatelyan - ARF / Dashnaktsutyun
  3. Anna Grigoryan - Non-party

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Profile and Political Posture

A security-first, sovereigntist, anti-Pashinyan opposition bloc. Led by Robert Kocharyan, it advocates for disciplined, state-centered leadership to restore state strength and national unity.

Security and Foreign Policy

Aims to rebuild defense capacity, restore deterrence, and strengthen borders. Seeks to restore strategic relations with Russia and deepen ties with Iran. Supports BRICS engagement and integration as part of a wider economic strategy.

Artsakh and Regional Integration

Maintains Artsakh Armenians’ rights, POWs, and cultural heritage on the national agenda. Skeptical of TRIPP-style corridor logic; insists all transit routes must remain under Armenian sovereignty.

Supporting Parties and Alliances

Electoral Bloc Partners

  • Armenian Revolutionary Federation
  • Araj Party, led by Sevak Khachatryan

Armenian Revolutionary Federation Insight

  • Armenian nationalist ideology
  • Socialist-rooted political tradition
  • Diaspora-centered national mission
  • Statehood, homeland, justice focus

18. For the Republic Alliance of Democracy Defenders Party / «Հանուն Հանրապետության ժողովրդավարության պաշտպանների դաշինք» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 0.5%

Key Candidates

  1. Arman Babajanyan - For the Republic
  2. Ruben Mehrabyan - For the Republic
  3. Lusine Zeynalyan - Non-party

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Strategy and Profile

A small liberal faction focusing on civil rights and institutional reform. Led by Arman Babajanyan, it is considered a Pashinyan-loyalist group. Lacks the resources to significantly affect the electoral outcome.

Leadership and Media Presence

Babajanyan’s media outlet, 1-in.am, is among Armenia’s largest. The party is known for vocal protests against the Russian embassy and advocating for Western integration.

Key Candidate Insight: Azat Arshakyan

Azat Arshakyan, fourth on the list, is a veteran politician and former Soviet dissident who spent more than a decade as a political prisoner. He served as a deputy in the Supreme Council and National Assembly from 1990 to 1999. He is a prominent advocate for Western integration and democratic reforms.

Core Challenges

The official party program is missing from the CEC website.

19. Bright Armenia Party / «Լուսավոր Հայաստան» կուսակցություն

MPG poll (2025-06-22): 2.9%

Referenced Articles & Sources

Key Candidates

  1. Edmon Marukyan - Bright Armenia
  2. Karpis Pashoyan - Non-party
  3. Shushanik Avagyan - Bright Armenia

Strategy, Profile, and Core Challenges

Strategy and Profile

Advocates for a “European-model” national state. Once a serious contender, the party is currently struggling for relevance. Due to past formal alliances with the ruling party, many observers perceive it as a “controlled” opposition group.

Shifting Orientation

The party is tempering its heavily pro-European past. While still supporting a European-style democracy, it no longer runs on fast EU accession. It opposes breaking ties with Russia and Iran and remains hostile to the TRIPP project as currently defined.

Key Candidate and Challenges

  • Notable addition: Karpis Pashoyan, historian and journalist, with pro-Western nationalist views.
  • Technical note: the official party program is currently missing from the CEC website.

Wrap-up

That’s our show, we hope you found it helpful. We invite your feedback and your suggestions, you can find us on most social media and podcast platforms.

Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.

Hosts

Asbed Bedrossian

Asbed Bedrossian

Asbed Bedrossian is an IT professional, and for years oversaw the central IT enterprise infrastructure and services at USC. His decades of experience spanned across IT strategy, enterprise architecture, infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, data center operations, high performance computing, ITSM, ITPM, and more.

Asbed founded the Armenian News Network Groong circa 1989/1990, and co-founded the ANN/Groong podcast in 2020.

Hovik Manucharyan

Hovik Manucharyan

Hovik Manucharyan is an information security engineer who moved from Seattle to Armenia in 2022. He co-founded the ANN/Groong podcast in 2020 and has been a contributor to Groong News since the late 1990s.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by Hovik Manucharyan on the ANN/Groong podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of his employer or any other organization.

Tags: 2026 Armenia Parliamentary Election Reformists Against All Strong Armenia Meritocratic Party New Power Wings of Unity Prosperous Armenia National Democratic Parnarmenian Party Bever Kochari Armenian National Congress Republic Party Christian-Democrats Alliance Democratic Consolidation DOK Civil Contract Hayastan Dashinq For the Republic Bright Armenia Armenia Alliance Armenian Alliance Hayastan Dashink Հայաստան դաշինք
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