Tag: Civil Contract
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Civil Contract is the ruling political party of Armenia, founded and led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. It rose to power following the 2018 so-called “Velvet Revolution” (which critics term a “regime change”) and obtained parliamentary majority in the 2021 snap elections, giving it the supermajority that has defined Armenia’s legislative landscape for the past several years. The opposition challenged the results of the election as unfair.
With more than 80 episodes referencing the party, Groong’s coverage of Civil Contract is extensive. Topics include the government’s handling of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war and its aftermath, the peace negotiation process with Azerbaijan, Armenia’s pivot away from Russia and toward the European Union and the United States, the crackdown on opposition and civic institutions, the 2025 confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the party’s campaign positioning ahead of the June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections.
Critics of Civil Contract covered in Groong episodes argue that the party has used its supermajority to consolidate power, weaken state institutions, suppress political opposition, and pursue a foreign policy that has left Armenia isolated and vulnerable. Supporters counter that it represents a genuine break from the corruption and military adventurism of previous governments.
35th Anniversary of the Sumgait Pogroms | Russia Warns the EU and Armenia | Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations Continue | Ep 232 - Feb 26, 2023 [EP232]
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 28, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia | Series: wir
Guest:
Topics:
- 35th Anniversary of the Sumgait Pogroms
- Turkey after the Earthquake
- One Year Anniversary of the War in Ukraine
- Azerbaijan-Armenian Negotiations Continue
- Personal topics
Episode 232 | Recorded: February 28, 2023
35th Anniversary of the Sumgait Pogroms | Russia Warns the EU and Armenia | Armenian Azerbaijani Negotiations Continue | Ep 232 - Feb 26, 2023 [EP232]
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 28, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Ukraine, RussiaGuest:
Topics:
- 35th Anniversary of the Sumgait Pogroms
- Turkey after the Earthquake
- One Year Anniversary of the War in Ukraine
- Azerbaijan-Armenian Negotiations Continue
- Personal topics
Episode 232 | Recorded: February 28, 2023
Artur Papyan: Cyber Laws and Threats in Armenia [EP229]
Posted on Friday, Feb 24, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Technology, Media | Series: cog, video
In this Conversations on Groong episode, we’ll be talking about the Internet censorship bill proposed in Armenia before the new year. We’ll also talk about the threat and activity of some Cyber spying malware in Armenia, such as the Israeli Pegasus software, which represents a threat to journalists and freedom of expression.
Topics:
- Censoring the Internet
- Cyberthreats and Cyberspying in Armenia
Guest: Artur Papyan, malware researcher, digital security consultant, co-founder of CyberHub and director of the Media DIversity Institute.
Episode 229 | Recorded: February 24, 2023
Artur Papyan: Cyber Laws and Threats in Armenia [EP229]
Posted on Friday, Feb 24, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Technology, MediaIn this Conversations on Groong episode, we’ll be talking about the Internet censorship bill proposed in Armenia before the new year. We’ll also talk about the threat and activity of some Cyber spying malware in Armenia, such as the Israeli Pegasus software, which represents a threat to journalists and freedom of expression.
Topics:
- Censoring the Internet
- Cyberthreats and Cyberspying in Armenia
Guest: Artur Papyan, malware researcher, digital security consultant, co-founder of CyberHub and director of the Media DIversity Institute.
Episode 229 | Recorded: February 24, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 227, Feb 21, 2023 [EP227]
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan | Series: artsakhblockade
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 227, Feb 21, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 21, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- The Politics around Ruben Vardanyan
Episode 227 | Recorded: February 21, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 227, Feb 21, 2023 [EP227]
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, AzerbaijanArtsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 227, Feb 21, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 21, 2023
Guest:
Topics:
- The Politics around Ruben Vardanyan
Episode 227 | Recorded: February 21, 2023
Arthur G Martirosyan | Army Day in Armenia | New EU Civilian Mission to Armenia | Politics of Artsakh Blockade | Ep 219 - Jan 29, 2023 [EP219]
Posted on Sunday, Jan 29, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, USA | Series: wir
Guest:
Topics:
- Army Day - January 28
- Events at Yerablur
- New EU Monitoring Mission
- Armenia’s Diplomacy
- Russia’s Increasing Displeasure
- Iran’s Tempered Displeasure
- Artsakh Blockade
Episode 219 | Recorded: January 29, 2023
Arthur G Martirosyan | Army Day in Armenia | New EU Civilian Mission to Armenia | Politics of Artsakh Blockade | Ep 219 - Jan 29, 2023 [EP219]
Posted on Sunday, Jan 29, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, USAGuest:
Topics:
- Army Day - January 28
- Events at Yerablur
- New EU Monitoring Mission
- Armenia’s Diplomacy
- Russia’s Increasing Displeasure
- Iran’s Tempered Displeasure
- Artsakh Blockade
Episode 219 | Recorded: January 29, 2023
Reflections on Artsakh Blockade | Is Russia Pressuring Armenia to join Union State | Bill to Control Internet during Martial Law | Highlights and Lowlights of 2022 | Predictions for 2023 [EP197]
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine | Series: wir
Guest:
Topic:
- Hovikâs Reflections from the Artsakh Blockade Interviews
- Is Russia Pressuring Armenia to join a âUnion Stateâ?
- Government Bill to Control the Internet During Martial Law
- Highlights and Lowlights from Armenian News in 2022
- Predictions for 2023
Episode 197 | Recorded: January 3, 2023