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 - May 30, 2021 Topics:
- Continued Tensions on the Eastern Border
- Latest IRI and MPG Polls on the Armenian Elections
- Election Politics
Guests:
- Hrant Mikaelian
- George Tabakyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Episode 65 | Recorded: May 30, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210530.html
Tensions on the Border | Latest IRI & MPG Polls | Election Politics | (Ep #65) - May 30, 2021 [EP65]
Posted on Monday, May 31, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Azerbaijan, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Iran, ArtsakhANN/Groong Week in Review - May 30, 2021 Topics:
- Continued Tensions on the Eastern Border
- Latest IRI and MPG Polls on the Armenian Elections
- Election Politics
Guests:
- Hrant Mikaelian
- George Tabakyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Episode 65 | Recorded: May 30, 2021 https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210530.html
Azerbaijan Incursion in Syunik | Lavrov in Yerevan/Baku | Electoral Politics (Ep #61) May 16, 2021 [EP61]
Posted on Monday, May 17, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Iran, Ukraine, China, Genocide, India, Israel, Middle East | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review - May 16, 2021 Topics:
- Azerbaijanâs Incursion into Syunik
- Lavrovâs Visit to Yerevan and Baku
- Electoral Politics
Guests:
- Tatul Hakobyan
- Emil Sanamyan
- Artyom Tonoyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan @HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian @qubriq
Episode 60 | Recorded: May 2, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210516.html
Azerbaijan Incursion in Syunik | Lavrov in Yerevan/Baku | Electoral Politics (Ep #61) May 16, 2021 [EP61]
Posted on Monday, May 17, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Iran, Ukraine, China, Genocide, India, Israel, Middle EastANN/Groong Week in Review - May 16, 2021 Topics:
- Azerbaijanâs Incursion into Syunik
- Lavrovâs Visit to Yerevan and Baku
- Electoral Politics
Guests:
- Tatul Hakobyan
- Emil Sanamyan
- Artyom Tonoyan
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan @HovikYerevan
- Asbed Bedrossian @qubriq
Episode 60 | Recorded: May 2, 2021 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210516.html
Sargsyan Interview | Criminalizing Defamation | Martial Law? | Protests 2/20/21 | Govsagan (Ep #51) [EP51]
Posted on Wednesday, Feb 24, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Armenian Church, Human Rights, Iran | Series: WIR
ANN Groong Week in Review Episode 51 - Feb 21, 2021
Topics Covered:
- President Sargsyanâs Interview
- Legislation to Criminalize Defamation of Government Officials
- Appointment of Acting Governors and Mayors during Martial Law
- Opposition Protests on Feb 20
- Govsagan, in the end
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian @asbedk
- Marine Manucharyan @armoland
- @Emil_Sanamyan
Your Hosts:
- Alen Zamanyan @alenzam99
- Asbed Bedrossian @Qubriq
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210221.html Episode 51 | Recorded: February 21, 2021
Sargsyan Interview | Criminalizing Defamation | Martial Law? | Protests 2/20/21 | Govsagan (Ep #51) [EP51]
Posted on Wednesday, Feb 24, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Armenian Church, Human Rights, IranANN Groong Week in Review Episode 51 - Feb 21, 2021
Topics Covered:
- President Sargsyanâs Interview
- Legislation to Criminalize Defamation of Government Officials
- Appointment of Acting Governors and Mayors during Martial Law
- Opposition Protests on Feb 20
- Govsagan, in the end
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian @asbedk
- Marine Manucharyan @armoland
- @Emil_Sanamyan
Your Hosts:
- Alen Zamanyan @alenzam99
- Asbed Bedrossian @Qubriq
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210221.html Episode 51 | Recorded: February 21, 2021
Syunik Confidential | Developments in Artsakh | Snap elections flip flop (Ep #49) [EP49]
Posted on Wednesday, Feb 17, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, China, Economy | Series: WIR
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 49 - February 14, 2021
Topics Covered:
- Syunik Confidential
- Developments in Artsakh
- Snap elections flip flop
Guests:
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Your Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210214.html Episode 49 | Recorded: February 14, 2021
Syunik Confidential | Developments in Artsakh | Snap elections flip flop (Ep #49) [EP49]
Posted on Wednesday, Feb 17, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Russia, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, China, EconomyANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 49 - February 14, 2021
Topics Covered:
- Syunik Confidential
- Developments in Artsakh
- Snap elections flip flop
Guests:
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Your Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210214.html Episode 49 | Recorded: February 14, 2021
Armen Ashotyan - Opposition Talks | Ep 44, Jan 19, 2021 [EP44]
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 19, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: cog
Groong Links:
Guest:
- Armen Ashotyan, MP, VP Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)
Topics:
- What took place in 2018?
- Why did RPA support Vazgen Manukyan as PM candidate?
- Nov. 9/10 ceasefire agreement & Jan 11 statement
- Is the RPA truly serious about removing Pashinyan? Why hasnât the opposition mobilized more people onto the streets?
- Lessons learned from Dec. 2018 elections.
Episode 44 | Recorded on January 17, 2021