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.
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Civil Contract.
Episode 248 | Recorded: April 16, 2023
Episode 247 | Recorded: April 14, 2023
Episode 247 | Recorded: April 14, 2023
In this Conversations on Groong episode, weâll be talking Naira Melikyan who shares troubling information from her attempt to travel to Artsakh via the newly built road passing by the village of Kornidzor. Armenian border guards turned away the Miasin group citing security concerns.
Episode 245 | Recorded: April 7, 2023
In this Conversations on Groong episode, weâll be talking Naira Melikyan who shares troubling information from her attempt to travel to Artsakh via the newly built road passing by the village of Kornidzor. Armenian border guards turned away the Miasin group citing security concerns.
Episode 245 | Recorded: April 7, 2023
Episode 241 | Recorded: March 26, 2023
Episode 241 | Recorded: March 26, 2023
Episode 240 | Recorded: March 20, 2023
Episode 240 | Recorded: March 20, 2023
Episode 232 | Recorded: February 28, 2023
Episode 232 | Recorded: February 28, 2023
In this Conversations on Groong episode, we’ll be talking about the Internet censorship bill proposed in Armenia before the new year. We’ll also talk about the threat and activity of some Cyber spying malware in Armenia, such as the Israeli Pegasus software, which represents a threat to journalists and freedom of expression.
Topics:
Guest: Artur Papyan , malware researcher, digital security consultant, co-founder of CyberHub and director of the Media DIversity Institute .
Episode 229 | Recorded: February 24, 2023
In this Conversations on Groong episode, we’ll be talking about the Internet censorship bill proposed in Armenia before the new year. We’ll also talk about the threat and activity of some Cyber spying malware in Armenia, such as the Israeli Pegasus software, which represents a threat to journalists and freedom of expression.
Topics:
Guest: Artur Papyan , malware researcher, digital security consultant, co-founder of CyberHub and director of the Media DIversity Institute .
Episode 229 | Recorded: February 24, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 227, Feb 21, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 21, 2023
Episode 227 | Recorded: February 21, 2023
Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 227, Feb 21, 2023
Armenian News Network Groong - Feb 21, 2023
Episode 227 | Recorded: February 21, 2023
Episode 219 | Recorded: January 29, 2023
Episode 219 | Recorded: January 29, 2023
Episode 197 | Recorded: January 3, 2023
Episode 197 | Recorded: January 3, 2023
Episode 179 | Recorded: November 21, 2022
Episode 179 | Recorded: November 21, 2022
Episode 173 | Recorded: November 1, 2022
Episode 173 | Recorded: November 1, 2022
Episode 167 | Recorded: October 10, 2022
Episode 167 | Recorded: October 10, 2022
Armenian News Network - Groong Week in Review - Sep 11, 2022
Topics:
Index: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:52 Guests 00:01:18 Topics 00:02:20 Greetings 00:02:24 MPG and IRI Poll Results 00:21:54 Armenian Economy Dynamics 00:37:13 US-Armenia Relations 00:48:06 Geopolitics, the War in Ukraine 00:55:14 Rants, Personal Statements 00:56:17 Good byes 00:56:27 Closing comments
Guest:
Armenian News Network - Groong Week in Review - Sep 11, 2022
Topics:
Index: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:52 Guests 00:01:18 Topics 00:02:20 Greetings 00:02:24 MPG and IRI Poll Results 00:21:54 Armenian Economy Dynamics 00:37:13 US-Armenia Relations 00:48:06 Geopolitics, the War in Ukraine 00:55:14 Rants, Personal Statements 00:56:17 Good byes 00:56:27 Closing comments
Guest:
Armenian News Network - Groong Week in Review - Sep 4, 2022
Topics:
Armenian News Network - Groong Week in Review - Sep 4, 2022
Topics:
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - August 29, 2022 Conversation with Anna Abrahamian
In the spring and summer of 2022 the Armenian parliamentary opposition was in the streets of Yerevan in large numbers, with a goal to remove the de-facto prime minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. That failed, or at least did not achieve all of the goals it had set for itself.
Especially as we near the end of August and the protests are set to restart, weâre analyzing what didnât work, and how to take more effective steps forward. We want to look at specific issues such as whether to move for
Read MoreArmenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - August 29, 2022 Conversation with Anna Abrahamian
In the spring and summer of 2022 the Armenian parliamentary opposition was in the streets of Yerevan in large numbers, with a goal to remove the de-facto prime minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. That failed, or at least did not achieve all of the goals it had set for itself.
Especially as we near the end of August and the protests are set to restart, weâre analyzing what didnât work, and how to take more effective steps forward. We want to look at specific issues such as whether to move for
Read MoreArmenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - August 21, 2022
Topics:
Guest: Dr. Arthur Khachikyan
Hosts:
Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 160 | Recorded: Sunday, August 28, 2022
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - August 21, 2022
Topics:
Guest: Dr. Arthur Khachikyan
Hosts:
Hovik Manucharyan TW/@HovikYerevan Asbed Bedrossian TW/@qubriq
Episode 160 | Recorded: Sunday, August 28, 2022
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - August 21, 2022
Topics:
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - August 21, 2022
Topics:
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - July 17, 2022
Topics:
Guests:
Host:
Episode 148 | Recorded: Monday, July 19, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220717.html
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - July 17, 2022
Topics:
Guests:
Host:
Episode 148 | Recorded: Monday, July 19, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220717.html
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - June 26, 2022
Topics:
Guests:
Host:
Episode 144 | Recorded: Monday, June 27, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220626.html
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - June 26, 2022
Topics:
Guests:
Host:
Episode 144 | Recorded: Monday, June 27, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220626.html
Armenian News Network/Groong - Week in Review - June 19, 2022
Topics:
Guests:
Host:
Episode 143 | Recorded: Monday, June 20, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220619.html
Read MoreArmenian News Network/Groong - Week in Review - June 19, 2022
Topics:
Guests:
Host:
Episode 143 | Recorded: Monday, June 20, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220619.html
Read MoreArmenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - June 12, 2022
Topics:
Guest:
Host:
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:
Guest:
Host:
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:
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:
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 - 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
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
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - April 3, 2022
Topics:
Guest:
Host:
Episode 131 | Recorded: Sunday, April 4, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220403.html
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - April 3, 2022
Topics:
Guest:
Host:
Episode 131 | Recorded: Sunday, April 4, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220403.html
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - March 27, 2022
Episode 130 | Recorded: Monday, March 28, 2022
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - March 27, 2022
Episode 130 | Recorded: Monday, March 28, 2022
Armenian News Network/Groong Week in Review - March 20, 2022
Topics:
Guest:
Host:
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:
Guest:
Host:
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:
Guest:
Armeniaâs Regional Challenges - February 26, 2022 A Conversation with Tatev Hayrapetyan
Topics:
Guest:
Political Topics with Edmon Marukyan - February 18, 2022
Topics:
Guest:
Hosts:
Political Topics with Edmon Marukyan - February 18, 2022
Topics:
Guest:
Hosts:
ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 13, 2022
Topics:
Guest:
Hosts:
Episode 119 | Recorded: Sunday, February 14, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220213.html
ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 13, 2022
Topics:
Guest:
Hosts:
Episode 119 | Recorded: Sunday, February 14, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220213.html
ANN/Groong Week in Review - February 6, 2022
Topics:
Guests:
Hosts:
Episode 118 | Recorded: Sunday, February 8, 2022 Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20220206.html