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.
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
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
Armenian Economy | Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations | French Senate Slams Azerbaijan | Opposition Back in Parliament [EP179]
Posted on Sunday, Nov 20, 2022 | Category: Politics, Armenia, Economy, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: wir
Guest:
Topics:
- How is Armenia’s Economy Doing?
- Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations
- French Senate Slams Azerbaijani Occupation of Armenia
- The Opposition Returns to Parliament
Episode 179 | Recorded: November 21, 2022
Armenian Economy | Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations | French Senate Slams Azerbaijan | Opposition Back in Parliament [EP179]
Posted on Sunday, Nov 20, 2022 | Category: Politics, Armenia, Economy, Artsakh, Nagorno KarabakhGuest:
Topics:
- How is Armenia’s Economy Doing?
- Armenia-Azerbaijan Negotiations
- French Senate Slams Azerbaijani Occupation of Armenia
- The Opposition Returns to Parliament
Episode 179 | Recorded: November 21, 2022
Rally in Stepanakert | Sullivan Plan | CSTO Security Council Convened | Trilateral in Sochi | Pashinyan in Tehran [EP173]
Posted on Wednesday, Nov 2, 2022 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, USA | Series: COG
Guest:
Topics:
- Massive Stepanakert Rally
- The Sullivan Plan
- CSTO Security Council Convened
- Trilateral Summit in Sochi
- From Sochi to Tehran
Episode 173 | Recorded: November 1, 2022
Rally in Stepanakert | Sullivan Plan | CSTO Security Council Convened | Trilateral in Sochi | Pashinyan in Tehran [EP173]
Posted on Wednesday, Nov 2, 2022 | Category: Politics, Artsakh, Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, USAGuest:
Topics:
- Massive Stepanakert Rally
- The Sullivan Plan
- CSTO Security Council Convened
- Trilateral Summit in Sochi
- From Sochi to Tehran
Episode 173 | Recorded: November 1, 2022
Meetings in Prague | Pashinyan Consolidating Power | Personal Rants | Ep 167 - Oct 9, 2022 [EP167]
Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2022 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Genocide, India, Armenian Genocide, Georgia, Iran, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: WIR
Guest:
Topics:
- Meetings in Prague
- Pashinyan Consolidating Power
- Personal Rants
Episode 167 | Recorded: October 10, 2022
Meetings in Prague | Pashinyan Consolidating Power | Personal Rants | Ep 167 - Oct 9, 2022 [EP167]
Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2022 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Genocide, India, Armenian Genocide, Georgia, Iran, Nagorno KarabakhGuest:
Topics:
- Meetings in Prague
- Pashinyan Consolidating Power
- Personal Rants
Episode 167 | Recorded: October 10, 2022
MPG and IRI Polls | Armenian Economy | US Armenia Relations | Geopolitics | Ep 163 - Sep 11, 2022 [EP163]
Posted on Monday, Sep 12, 2022 | Category: Artsakh, Armenia, Politics, Poll, Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Economy, Georgia, Turkey, Geopolitics, Iran | Series: WIR
Armenian News Network - Groong Week in Review - Sep 11, 2022
Topics:
- Latest MPG and IRI Poll Results
- Whatâs Up with the Armenian Economy?
- US Armenia Relations
- Geopolitical Developments
Index: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:52 Guests 00:01:18 Topics 00:02:20 Greetings 00:02:24 MPG and IRI Poll Results 00:21:54 Armenian Economy Dynamics 00:37:13 US-Armenia Relations 00:48:06 Geopolitics, the War in Ukraine 00:55:14 Rants, Personal Statements 00:56:17 Good byes 00:56:27 Closing comments
Guest:
- Hrant Mikaelian - TW/@hrant_m
- Suren Sargsyan - TW/@S_A_Sargsyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
MPG and IRI Polls | Armenian Economy | US Armenia Relations | Geopolitics | Ep 163 - Sep 11, 2022 [EP163]
Posted on Monday, Sep 12, 2022 | Category: Artsakh, Armenia, Politics, Poll, Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Economy, Georgia, Turkey, Geopolitics, IranArmenian News Network - Groong Week in Review - Sep 11, 2022
Topics:
- Latest MPG and IRI Poll Results
- Whatâs Up with the Armenian Economy?
- US Armenia Relations
- Geopolitical Developments
Index: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:52 Guests 00:01:18 Topics 00:02:20 Greetings 00:02:24 MPG and IRI Poll Results 00:21:54 Armenian Economy Dynamics 00:37:13 US-Armenia Relations 00:48:06 Geopolitics, the War in Ukraine 00:55:14 Rants, Personal Statements 00:56:17 Good byes 00:56:27 Closing comments
Guest:
- Hrant Mikaelian - TW/@hrant_m
- Suren Sargsyan - TW/@S_A_Sargsyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan