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.
OSCE MG | Aparan Murders | Vanetsyan Resigns | Jhangiryan Doesn’t | Ep #144 - Jun 26, 2022 [EP144]
Posted on Tuesday, Jun 28, 2022 | Category: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Artsakh, Turkey, China | Series: WIR
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - June 26, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 02:08 Who killed the OSCE Minsk Group?
- 21:36 Murders in Aparan
- 27:01 Arthur Vanetsyan Resigns from Parliament
- 38:51 Gagik Jhangiryan in the Line of Fire
- 44:39 Rants
Guests:
- Hrant Mikaelian / TW/@Hrant_M
Host:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 144 | Recorded: Monday, June 27, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220626.html
OSCE MG | Aparan Murders | Vanetsyan Resigns | Jhangiryan Doesn’t | Ep #144 - Jun 26, 2022 [EP144]
Posted on Tuesday, Jun 28, 2022 | Category: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Artsakh, Turkey, ChinaArmenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - June 26, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 02:08 Who killed the OSCE Minsk Group?
- 21:36 Murders in Aparan
- 27:01 Arthur Vanetsyan Resigns from Parliament
- 38:51 Gagik Jhangiryan in the Line of Fire
- 44:39 Rants
Guests:
- Hrant Mikaelian / TW/@Hrant_M
Host:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 144 | Recorded: Monday, June 27, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220626.html
Armenian News: Opposition | Jhangiryan Scandal | Peace Talks, Shootings | Ep #143 - Jun 19, 2022 [EP143]
Posted on Tuesday, Jun 21, 2022 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Israel, Artsakh, China, Russia | Series: WIR
Armenian News Network/Groong - Week in Review - June 19, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 01:53 Did the Opposition Blink? What will happen to the Yerevan protests?
- 15:54 Scandal in the Supreme Judicial Council involving Gagik Jhangiryan (SJC)
- 34:31 More Artsakh âPeaceâ Talks, More Border Shootings
- 52:32 Rants
Guests:
- Tevan Poghosyan / Ô¹Õ¥ÖÕ¡Õ¶ ÕÕ¸Õ²Õ¸Õ½ÕµÕ¡Õ¶ / TW/@TevanPoghosyan
Host:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 143 | Recorded: Monday, June 20, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220619.html
#armenia #armenian #azerbaijan
Read MoreArmenian News: Opposition | Jhangiryan Scandal | Peace Talks, Shootings | Ep #143 - Jun 19, 2022 [EP143]
Posted on Tuesday, Jun 21, 2022 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Israel, Artsakh, China, RussiaArmenian News Network/Groong - Week in Review - June 19, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 01:53 Did the Opposition Blink? What will happen to the Yerevan protests?
- 15:54 Scandal in the Supreme Judicial Council involving Gagik Jhangiryan (SJC)
- 34:31 More Artsakh âPeaceâ Talks, More Border Shootings
- 52:32 Rants
Guests:
- Tevan Poghosyan / Ô¹Õ¥ÖÕ¡Õ¶ ÕÕ¸Õ²Õ¸Õ½ÕµÕ¡Õ¶ / TW/@TevanPoghosyan
Host:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 143 | Recorded: Monday, June 20, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220619.html
#armenia #armenian #azerbaijan
Read More
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - June 12, 2022
Topics:
- The Opposition Activates Politics
- Russia Revises Lavrov’s Parukh Response
- War Dividends
- Caucasus Barometer Survey Takeaways
Guest:
- Hrant Mikaelian - TW/@Hrant_M
Host:
- Asbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriq
Episode 142 | Recorded: Monday, June 13, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220612.html
#lavrov #armeniannews
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - June 12, 2022
Topics:
- The Opposition Activates Politics
- Russia Revises Lavrov’s Parukh Response
- War Dividends
- Caucasus Barometer Survey Takeaways
Guest:
- Hrant Mikaelian - TW/@Hrant_M
Host:
- Asbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriq
Episode 142 | Recorded: Monday, June 13, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220612.html
#lavrov #armeniannews
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - June 5, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 02:52 Yerevan Protests Continue
- 24:30 State of Negotiations on Artsakh
- 42:27 MPG Gallup Poll Results
- 44:14 Rants
Guests:
Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan / TW/@Benyamin_Poghos
Host:
Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq Episode 141 | Recorded: Monday, June 6, 2022
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - June 5, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 02:52 Yerevan Protests Continue
- 24:30 State of Negotiations on Artsakh
- 42:27 MPG Gallup Poll Results
- 44:14 Rants
Guests:
Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan / TW/@Benyamin_Poghos
Host:
Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq Episode 141 | Recorded: Monday, June 6, 2022
Armenian News: Opposition | Brussels | Alison | Economy | Poll | Artsakh | Ep #132 - Apr 10, 2022 [EP132]
Posted on Tuesday, Apr 12, 2022 | Category: Artsakh, Armenia, Politics, Poll, Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Ukraine, Economy, India, Georgia, Geopolitics, Human Rights | Series: WIR
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - April 10, 2022
Topics:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:25 Opposition Protests in Yerevan: Thousands showed up to the opposition protest on Tuesday, outlining the red lines for Pashinyan’s dealings with Aliyev, ahead of the meeting in Brussels. Opposition says this is only the beginning, but have yet to indicate what their next steps will be.
00:12:35 Buying Bread from a Man in Brussels: Pashinyan went to Brussels this week to meet with Charles Michel and Ilham Aliyev. Did the Armenian PM firmly set his foot down and demand Azerbaijan