Armenian authorities have set March 30 as the date for an early municipal election in Gyumri, the country’s second-largest city, following legal amendments allowing the appointment of an acting mayor.
Gyumri has lacked a functioning municipal government since October, when Mayor Vardges Samsonyan, his deputies, and members of the city council resigned unexpectedly. Their departures followed criminal charges against businessman Samvel Balasanyan, the unofficial leader of the local political bloc opposed to the Armenian government.
Initially, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party had proposed holding the snap election in late December or early January. However, it later delayed the vote and amended a local governance law to allow for interim management of the city.
As part of its preparations, Civil Contract chose Sarik Minasyan, the head of Gyumri’s division of the national social security service, as its mayoral candidate. Minasyan, who is not currently a member of Civil Contract, was selected through an internal “primary election” held earlier this month, where he outperformed five party-affiliated contenders. Pashinyan announced on Thursday that Minasyan will be appointed acting mayor on Friday.
The government also dissolved Gyumri’s paralyzed municipal council, which had been responsible for appointing the mayor. However, the dissolution will take effect on February 20, delaying the election to March 30. The Central Election Commission confirmed the timeline later that day.
Opposition groups in Gyumri have accused Civil Contract of using the delay and the appointment of an interim mayor to strengthen its position ahead of the election. These allegations have been denied by Pashinyan’s allies.
In a related development, Pashinyan announced the resignation of Shirak Governor Mushegh Muradyan, whose province includes Gyumri. Muradyan, reportedly unaware of his pending dismissal, is considered an ally of Karen Sarukhanyan, the Civil Contract candidate initially expected to run for mayor before being replaced by Minasyan.
The upcoming election is set to shape the future leadership of Gyumri, amidst heightened political tensions and accusations of government maneuvering.
