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.
ANN/Groong Week in Review - January 23, 2022
Topics:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 01:04 President Armen Sarkissian Resigns
- 20:46 Russia-NATO Standoff over Ukraine
- 47:55 Vahan Kerobyan, Minister of Comedy
Guests:
- Dr. Pietro Shakarian
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan twitter.com/HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian twitter.com/qubriq
Episode 114 | Recorded: Sunday, January 25, 2022
ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 26, 2021
Topics:
- Nikol Pashinyan holds a press conference
- Robert Kocharyan holds a press conference
- The Yerevan Mayor Saga
Guests:
- Tevan Poghosyan TW/@ TevanPoghosyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 110 | Recorded: Sunday, December 27, 2021
ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 26, 2021
Topics:
- Nikol Pashinyan holds a press conference
- Robert Kocharyan holds a press conference
- The Yerevan Mayor Saga
Guests:
- Tevan Poghosyan TW/@ TevanPoghosyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 110 | Recorded: Sunday, December 27, 2021
Zoom for Democracy | Domestic & Regional Politics | Artsakh Republic at 30 | Ep #106 - Dec 12, 2021 [EP106]
Posted on Monday, Dec 13, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, China, Israel, Syria, Genocide, Human Rights, Economy, Armenian Genocide | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review - December 12, 2021
Topics:
- Zoom for Democracy
- Domestic Politics
- Regional Politics
- Artsakh Independence at 30
- Analyst Rants
Guests:
- Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos
- Pietro Shakarian
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 106 | Recorded: Sunday, December 12, 2021
Zoom for Democracy | Domestic & Regional Politics | Artsakh Republic at 30 | Ep #106 - Dec 12, 2021 [EP106]
Posted on Monday, Dec 13, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, China, Israel, Syria, Genocide, Human Rights, Economy, Armenian GenocideANN/Groong Week in Review - December 12, 2021
Topics:
- Zoom for Democracy
- Domestic Politics
- Regional Politics
- Artsakh Independence at 30
- Analyst Rants
Guests:
- Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@benyamin_poghos
- Pietro Shakarian
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 106 | Recorded: Sunday, December 12, 2021
Armenia Attacked | Border Politics | Back to OSCE MG | Municipal Results | Ep #101 - Nov 14, 2021 [EP101]
Posted on Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Turkey, Israel, China, Ukraine, Georgia, Iran, Economy, Middle East | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 7, 2021
Topics:
- Armenia under wide scale attacks by Azerbaijan @0:55
- Border Politics @7:20
- Azerbaijan Returns to the OSCE MG @29:49
- Municipal elections Over the Past Weekend @44:38
Guests:
- Arthur Martirosyan TW/@ArtMart96 Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 101 | Recorded: Monday, November 16, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211114.html
Armenia Attacked | Border Politics | Back to OSCE MG | Municipal Results | Ep #101 - Nov 14, 2021 [EP101]
Posted on Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Turkey, Israel, China, Ukraine, Georgia, Iran, Economy, Middle EastANN/Groong Week in Review - November 7, 2021
Topics:
- Armenia under wide scale attacks by Azerbaijan @0:55
- Border Politics @7:20
- Azerbaijan Returns to the OSCE MG @29:49
- Municipal elections Over the Past Weekend @44:38
Guests:
- Arthur Martirosyan TW/@ArtMart96 Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 101 | Recorded: Monday, November 16, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211114.html
ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 7, 2021
Topics:
- The War in Artsakh, One Year Later
- Erika Olson visits the South Caucasus
- Internal political developments
Guests:
- Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 99 | Recorded: Monday, November 8, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211107.html
ANN/Groong Week in Review - November 7, 2021
Topics:
- The War in Artsakh, One Year Later
- Erika Olson visits the South Caucasus
- Internal political developments
Guests:
- Benyamin Poghosyan TW/@Benyamin_Poghos
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 99 | Recorded: Monday, November 8, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20211107.html