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.
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
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
Armenian News: Ukraine Crisis Update | Parukh - Brussels - Moscow | Ep #131 - Apr 3, 2022 [EP131]
Posted on Monday, Apr 4, 2022 | Category: Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, China, Genocide, Artsakh, India, Human Rights, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Middle East | Series: WIR
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - April 3, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Intro
- 01:12 Ukraine Crisis Update
- 37:16 Parukh - Brussels - Moscow
- 58:43 Rants
Guest:
- Pietro Shakarian
Host:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 131 | Recorded: Sunday, April 4, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220403.html
Armenian News: Ukraine Crisis Update | Parukh - Brussels - Moscow | Ep #131 - Apr 3, 2022 [EP131]
Posted on Monday, Apr 4, 2022 | Category: Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, China, Genocide, Artsakh, India, Human Rights, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Middle EastArmenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - April 3, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Intro
- 01:12 Ukraine Crisis Update
- 37:16 Parukh - Brussels - Moscow
- 58:43 Rants
Guest:
- Pietro Shakarian
Host:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 131 | Recorded: Sunday, April 4, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220403.html
Armenian News: Askeran Incursion | Artsakh Still Without Gas | Pax Azeriana | Ep. 130 - Mar 27, 2022 [EP130]
Posted on Monday, Mar 28, 2022 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia | Series: WIR
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - March 27, 2022
Topics:
- Introduction
- Azerbaijan Incursions into Askeran Region
- Artsakh Still Without Natural Gas
- Pax Azeriana
Guest:
Episode 130 | Recorded: Monday, March 28, 2022
Armenian News: Askeran Incursion | Artsakh Still Without Gas | Pax Azeriana | Ep. 130 - Mar 27, 2022 [EP130]
Posted on Monday, Mar 28, 2022 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, RussiaArmenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - March 27, 2022
Topics:
- Introduction
- Azerbaijan Incursions into Askeran Region
- Artsakh Still Without Natural Gas
- Pax Azeriana
Guest:
Episode 130 | Recorded: Monday, March 28, 2022
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - March 20, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 00:47 Azerbaijan’s “Peace” Deal
- 13:34 Artsakh Without Natural Gas in Winter
- 28:07 Ukraine Protests in Yerevan
- 43:29 Vardenis Mayoral Issue Resolved
- 47:17 Rants
Guest:
- Benyamin Poghosyan https://twitter.com/Benyamin_Poghos
Host:
- Hovik Manucharyan https://twitter.com/HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian https://twitter.com/qubriq
Episode 129 | Recorded: Sunday, March 21, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220320.html
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - March 20, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 00:47 Azerbaijan’s “Peace” Deal
- 13:34 Artsakh Without Natural Gas in Winter
- 28:07 Ukraine Protests in Yerevan
- 43:29 Vardenis Mayoral Issue Resolved
- 47:17 Rants
Guest:
- Benyamin Poghosyan https://twitter.com/Benyamin_Poghos
Host:
- Hovik Manucharyan https://twitter.com/HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian https://twitter.com/qubriq
Episode 129 | Recorded: Sunday, March 21, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220320.html
Armeniaâs Regional Challenges - February 26, 2022 A Conversation with Tatev Hayrapetyan
Topics:
- Tatevâs Background and Entrance into Politics
- Armenia Going in the Wrong Direction?
- Aliyev and his Regime after the 44-Day War
- The Shushi and Moscow Agreements
- Armeniaâs Foreign Affairs Establishment
Guest:
- Tatev Hayrapetyan is an expert in Azerbaijani studies and holds a PhD in History. She was an MP at the 7th convocation of Armenia’s National Assembly, a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Armenian Delegation at the PACE. She is mainly focused on domestic
Armenia’s Regional Challenges with Tatev Hayrapetyan | Ep #124 - Feb 26, 2022 [EP124]
Posted on Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 | Category: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Ukraine, Artsakh, China, IndiaArmeniaâs Regional Challenges - February 26, 2022 A Conversation with Tatev Hayrapetyan
Topics:
- Tatevâs Background and Entrance into Politics
- Armenia Going in the Wrong Direction?
- Aliyev and his Regime after the 44-Day War
- The Shushi and Moscow Agreements
- Armeniaâs Foreign Affairs Establishment
Guest:
- Tatev Hayrapetyan is an expert in Azerbaijani studies and holds a PhD in History. She was an MP at the 7th convocation of Armenia’s National Assembly, a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Armenian Delegation at the PACE. She is mainly focused on domestic