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.
Joel Veldkamp - Armenia’s Prayer Breakfast and the Crackdown on the Church | Ep 490, Nov 27, 2025 [EP490]
Posted on Thursday, Nov 27, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights
Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Clergy Arrests in Armenia
- Church Under Pressure
- Prayer Breakfast Controversy
- Western Silence on Repression
- CSIâs Findings in Yerevan
Episode 490 | Recorded: November 25, 2025
#ArmenianChurch #ReligiousFreedom #ClergyArrests #ChristianSolidarityInternational #HumanRightsInArmenia
Hrant Mikaelian - Ukraine Talks, Armenia’s Crackdowns, and Rising Tensions | Ep 488, Nov 23, 2025 [EP488]
Posted on Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, China, Economy, Iran, Middle East, Artsakh, Human Rights, Genocide | Series: wir, video
Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- High-Stakes Ukraine Talks
- Armeniaâs Growing Political Detentions
- Pashinyan Honored In Kazakhstan
- Rising Pressure On The Church
- Impeachment vs. Elections
- Pashinyan Seizes Power Grid
Episode 488 | Recorded: November 24, 2025
Hrant Mikaelian - Ukraine Talks, Armenia’s Crackdowns, and Rising Tensions | Ep 488, Nov 23, 2025 [EP488]
Posted on Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, China, Economy, Iran, Middle East, Artsakh, Human Rights, GenocideGroong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- High-Stakes Ukraine Talks
- Armeniaâs Growing Political Detentions
- Pashinyan Honored In Kazakhstan
- Rising Pressure On The Church
- Impeachment vs. Elections
- Pashinyan Seizes Power Grid
Episode 488 | Recorded: November 24, 2025
Hayk Mamijanyan - Freedom of Expression at Risk in Armenia, Vagharshapat, RPA Strategy | Ep 487, Nov 19, 2025 [EP487]
Posted on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2025 | Category: Armenia, artsakh, political prisoners, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Church | Series: cog
Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Freedom of Expression at Risk in Armenia
- Vagharshapat Municipal Outcomes
- Republican Party Election Strategy
- Stand in Support of Independent Media and Journalism in Armenia
Episode 487 | Recorded: November 18, 2025
Hayk Mamijanyan - Freedom of Expression at Risk in Armenia, Vagharshapat, RPA Strategy | Ep 487, Nov 19, 2025 [EP487]
Posted on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2025 | Category: Armenia, artsakh, political prisoners, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian ChurchGroong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Freedom of Expression at Risk in Armenia
- Vagharshapat Municipal Outcomes
- Republican Party Election Strategy
- Stand in Support of Independent Media and Journalism in Armenia
Episode 487 | Recorded: November 18, 2025
Sergei Melkonian - Ukraine, Iran & Israel, C5+1 in DC, Vagharshapat Municipal Outcome | Ep 486, Nov 16, 2025 [EP486]
Posted on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: wir, video
Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
- C5+1 in Washington DC
- Vagharshapat/Etchmiadzin Municipal
Episode 486 | Recorded: November 17, 2025
Sergei Melkonian - Ukraine, Iran & Israel, C5+1 in DC, Vagharshapat Municipal Outcome | Ep 486, Nov 16, 2025 [EP486]
Posted on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno KarabakhGroong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
- C5+1 in Washington DC
- Vagharshapat/Etchmiadzin Municipal
Episode 486 | Recorded: November 17, 2025
Arthur Martirosyan - 44 Day War, Ukraine, Iran-Israel, Sargsyan and Kocharyan Interviews, Narek Karapetyan on Tucker Carlson | Ep 484, Nov 9, 2025 [EP484]
Posted on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia | Series: wir, video
Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Nov 9: 44-Day War 5 years Hence
- Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
- Pres. Serge Sargsyanâs Interview
- Pres. Robert Kocharyanâs Interview
- Narek Karapetyan on Tucker Carlson
Episode 484 | Recorded: November 10, 2025
Arthur Martirosyan - 44 Day War, Ukraine, Iran-Israel, Sargsyan and Kocharyan Interviews, Narek Karapetyan on Tucker Carlson | Ep 484, Nov 9, 2025 [EP484]
Posted on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, RussiaGroong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Nov 9: 44-Day War 5 years Hence
- Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflicts
- Pres. Serge Sargsyanâs Interview
- Pres. Robert Kocharyanâs Interview
- Narek Karapetyan on Tucker Carlson
Episode 484 | Recorded: November 10, 2025