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.
Robert Markarian: Party Platforms in June 20 Parliamentary Elections (Ep #73) - June 20, 2021 [EP73]
Posted on Saturday, Jun 19, 2021 | Category: In Armenian, Armenia, Politics, Economy, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Russia, Iran
Analyzing Party Platforms in June 20 Parliamentary Elections
A Conversation with Robert Markarian
Guest:
Robert Markarian was born in Iran and has university education in physics and law. For 25 years, he has worked as a host, editor, and analyst on Armenian Radio Hour in Iranâs public radio and television. He has cooperated articles covering Armenia and Artsakh in Armenian, Persian, and English published by Iranian and Armenian sites and analytical centers.
Topics:
- Security/Defense
- Economy and Social
- Artsakh
- Diaspora Relations
Conversation in English and Armenian
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
Aleksandr Khachaturyan on the 2021 Armenian Elections
Guest:
Aleksandr Khachaturyan who is a Managing Partner at TK & Partners, in Yerevan. In 2016 he served as an advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Karen Karapetyan, and was CEO of the Center for Strategic Initiatives, advising the government on key economic and public administration reforms and strategies. He serves as a board member at ID Bank and various non-profits, and lectures on corporate finance law at the French University of Armenia (FUA). He holds law degrees from Boston University, FUA, and Jean Moulin
Read MoreAleksandr Khachaturyan on the 2021 Armenian Elections
Guest:
Aleksandr Khachaturyan who is a Managing Partner at TK & Partners, in Yerevan. In 2016 he served as an advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Karen Karapetyan, and was CEO of the Center for Strategic Initiatives, advising the government on key economic and public administration reforms and strategies. He serves as a board member at ID Bank and various non-profits, and lectures on corporate finance law at the French University of Armenia (FUA). He holds law degrees from Boston University, FUA, and Jean Moulin
Read MoreAspram Krpeyan: Hayastan Dashinq, Elections and Postwar Outlook (Ep #71) - June 18, 2021 [EP71]
Posted on Friday, Jun 18, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Turkey, Human Rights, Russia | Series: COG
Hayastan Dashinq (Armenia Alliance), Elections and Postwar Outlook
Guest
Aspram Krpeyan, is a member of the Hayastan Dashinq led by former president Robert Kocharyan in the upcoming elections in Armenia, and a member of its list of parliamentary party representatives. She holds an MSt in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Oxford and an LLM from the Geneva Academy of the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Her research interests lie in international law with a focus on the interplay between international humanitarian law and human rights, use of force, including the conduct
Read MoreAspram Krpeyan: Hayastan Dashinq, Elections and Postwar Outlook (Ep #71) - June 18, 2021 [EP71]
Posted on Friday, Jun 18, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Turkey, Human Rights, RussiaHayastan Dashinq (Armenia Alliance), Elections and Postwar Outlook
Guest
Aspram Krpeyan, is a member of the Hayastan Dashinq led by former president Robert Kocharyan in the upcoming elections in Armenia, and a member of its list of parliamentary party representatives. She holds an MSt in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Oxford and an LLM from the Geneva Academy of the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Her research interests lie in international law with a focus on the interplay between international humanitarian law and human rights, use of force, including the conduct
Read More
ANN/Groong Week in Review - June 13, 2021 Topics:
- Meltdown at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Philip Reekerâs Visit to the Region
- 15 POWs Return Home
- Latest Election Poll Results
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Tevan Poghosyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Episode 70 | Recorded: June 13, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210613.html
ANN/Groong Week in Review - June 13, 2021 Topics:
- Meltdown at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Philip Reekerâs Visit to the Region
- 15 POWs Return Home
- Latest Election Poll Results
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Tevan Poghosyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Episode 70 | Recorded: June 13, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210613.html
Kocharyan Closes In on Pashinyan’s Lead | Pashinyan Visits Europe | (Ep #66) - June 6, 2021 [EP66]
Posted on Sunday, Jun 6, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Artsakh, Syria | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review - June 6, 2021
Topics:
- Kocharyan Closes in on Pashinyan in Election Polls
- Pashinyan Visits Europe
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210606.html
Episode 66 | Recorded: June 6, 2021
Kocharyan Closes In on Pashinyan’s Lead | Pashinyan Visits Europe | (Ep #66) - June 6, 2021 [EP66]
Posted on Sunday, Jun 6, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Artsakh, SyriaANN/Groong Week in Review - June 6, 2021
Topics:
- Kocharyan Closes in on Pashinyan in Election Polls
- Pashinyan Visits Europe
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210606.html
Episode 66 | Recorded: June 6, 2021