Wave of Resignations in Armenia as Pashinyan Tightens Control Ahead of Possible Elections
A pro-government member of Armenia’s parliament and six senior state officials resigned on Tuesday following harsh criticism of their performance by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The shake-up is widely viewed as part of Pashinyan’s strategy to regain public support ahead of anticipated general elections in June 2026 or earlier.
Among the dismissed officials was Argishti Kyaramyan, head of the Investigative Committee, who recently faced sharp scrutiny from lawmakers within Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party. Tensions flared last month during a parliamentary hearing when Kyaramian clashed with Civil Contract deputy Hovik Aghazaryan. The dispute escalated after Aghazaryan accused the Investigative Committee of intimidating citizens with unjustified arrests or threats. The heated exchange, marked by mutual insults, nearly turned physical on the parliament floor.
Kyaramian’s conduct drew criticism from other Civil Contract deputies, including Narek Zeynalyan, who also announced his resignation on Tuesday. Zeynalyan provided no explanation for his decision, further fueling speculation about internal party turmoil.
Reports from multiple media outlets suggest Pashinyan ordered the resignations of the six officials, as well as those of Aghazaryan and Zeynalyan, during a late-night meeting on Sunday. The reports claim Pashinyan was displeased with their handling of the Kyaramian incident, despite the latter’s reputation as a close ally of the prime minister. When questioned by journalists, Zeynalyan declined to comment on these claims, later confirming his resignation via Facebook.
Aghazarian, however, stated he has no intention of stepping down, pending an ongoing Civil Contract inquiry into his behavior during the clash with Kyaramyan. On Tuesday, he reaffirmed his stance, saying he would await the outcome of the investigation.
Complicating matters, Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) questioned Aghazaryan on Monday as part of a criminal investigation into allegations of bribery involving Armenian businessmen exporting livestock to the United Arab Emirates. Reports indicate the businessmen accused Aghazaryan of soliciting a bribe in exchange for facilitating the exports. Aghazaryan neither confirmed nor denied these accusations, asserting he is currently involved in the case solely as a witness. He dismissed suggestions that the investigation is being used to pressure him into leaving parliament.
The unfolding political drama highlights growing tensions within the ruling party as Pashinyan faces mounting challenges to his leadership and declining public confidence.
