Armenian cabinet meeting led by PM Nikol Pashinyan (Photo: RA Prime Minister’s office, November 15, 2024)YEREVAN—Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has begun naming new ministers to replace the six senior state officials who resigned this week.
Arpine Sargsyan, former deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, will lead the ministry, while governor of the Armavir province Davit Khudatyan will be the new Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.
PM Pashinyan addressed the wave of high-profile resignations within his government, a move that has generated considerable debate, in a Facebook post. Pashinyan confirmed that he requested several senior officials step down, stating that the reasons were “not personal but systemic.” He expressed gratitude for the officials’ contributions to the country’s development but emphasized the need for change within the administration.
PM Pashinyan implemented a sweeping personnel overhaul this week within the government and law enforcement agencies. The reshuffle saw the resignation of two ministers, four senior officials and one member of parliament.
The resignations follow remarks by PM Pashinyan at a November 15 cabinet meeting, where he expressed frustration with the lack of progress in the law enforcement sector, declaring that his “patience is running out.” On November 18, it was confirmed that Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, Head of the State Revenue Committee Rustam Badalyan, Head of the Investigative Committee Argishti Kyaramyan and Minister of Internal Affairs Vahe Ghazaryan had submitted their resignations.
Karen Andreasyan, the chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, also announced his resignation via a Facebook post, stating that he would not discuss the underlying reasons behind his decision. Shortly after, additional resignation requests were submitted by Sasun Khachatryan, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee, and Narek Zeynalyan, head of the Health and Social Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.
Members of the ruling Civil Contract Party have called these resignations part of a “normal process,” while they have come under criticism from Armenia’s opposition. “These changes are made after each official fulfills their mission. Officials do not hold these positions forever. It’s a normal process,” ruling party MP Armen Khachatryan said.
The timing of these resignations has prompted wide speculation about Pashinyan’s political strategy. Political analyst Suren Surenyan believes the reshuffle may be a prelude to early parliamentary elections. He argued that it is a tactical response to external challenges, particularly the fallout from the Artsakh conflict and internal criticisms of his leadership. Surenyan also predicted that certain officials may face criminal charges, pointing out that after significant political changes, governments often purge officials linked to previous administrations.
Avetik Chalabyan, coordinator of the “Hayakve” initiative, suggested that the resignations may be part of a larger strategy to consolidate power in preparation for a potential snap election. He described it as a calculated move by PM Pashinyan to salvage his low approval ratings, present a rebranded, more “pro-state and modern persona” and repair the image of his embattled government.
“This is just another phase of the game initiated by Pashinyan, aiming to obscure the real problem, which is the anti-national and anti-state nature of his administration,” Chalabyan said. He added that recent symbolic acts, including Pashinyan shaving off his beard this week for the first time since coming to power in 2018, riding a bicycle under heavy security and other “political theatrics,” are designed to reshape Pashinyan’s image from a “tarnished and discredited figure.”
In other news, during a Q&A at the National Assembly, PM Pashinyan raised questions about the very foundations of the Armenian state. Reflecting on Armenia’s Declaration of Independence, Pashinyan shared that after multiple readings of the document, he concluded, “The content of the Declaration suggests that the Republic of Armenia cannot exist. This is our greatest problem and tragedy.”
This marks a shift from Pashinyan’s previous statements, including those made just two and a half months ago, when he praised the Declaration and its significance for Armenia’s independence and sovereignty. However, this is not the first time that Pashinyan has provided his own interpretation of the 1990 document. Earlier this year, the prime minister used the metaphor of a bull and a red cloth to warn that if the Declaration was not removed from the Constitution, it could lead to war.
Pashinyan’s remarks came a day after he stated on X that Azerbaijan’s Constitution includes territorial claims to 60% of the territory of the Republic of Armenia. However, he said that he will not insist that Azerbaijan amend its Constitution, because “such a demand would lead to a deadlock in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.”
The Declaration of Independence has been a point of contention for Azerbaijan, which argues that the preamble to the Armenian Constitution contains territorial claims and insists that the reference to the Declaration be removed from the country’s fundamental law.
These remarks have raised concerns among the opposition and the general public. In an interview with the Weekly, Gegham Manukyan, a member of parliament from the “Armenia” faction of the National Assembly, expressed concerns regarding PM Pashinyan’s approach to Azerbaijan’s demands. Manukyan criticized Pashinyan for uncritically yielding to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, warning that these concessions undermine Armenia’s sovereignty and the principles outlined in the country’s Declaration of Independence.
“Pashinyan is effectively turning Aliyev’s demands into reality without considering the long-term repercussions,” Manukyan said. He cautioned that Aliyev’s pressure would not stop with Pashinyan’s statements but would likely escalate, potentially leading to a referendum aimed at altering Armenia’s position. “Such a referendum will never take place,” Manukyan said, emphasizing his firm opposition to any such developments.
Meanwhile, Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the president of Azerbaijan, has addressed the ongoing discussions regarding the future of Artsakh, focusing on the conditions under which ethnic Armenians could return to the region. Hajiyev stated that any ethnic Armenians wishing to return could apply for Azerbaijani citizenship on an individual basis in accordance with Azerbaijan’s national laws.
However, Hajiyev said that such returns would only be possible on a reciprocal basis. For ethnic Armenians to return, Azerbaijan insists on the simultaneous recognition of the rights of displaced Azerbaijanis to return to territories within Armenia from which they were expelled.
