Analyst calls for political system rebranding ahead of 2026 elections in Armenia

Political analyst Suren Surenyants states that the ongoing remote debate between the opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem parliament factions signals the approaching election cycle, which will require systemic political changes.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Surenyants said the current discussion reveals the absence of conditions necessary for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's impeachment. "In countries like Armenia, impeachment is only realistic if there's strong street mobilization that creates cracks within the ruling elite. Without that and a clear political alternative to rally around, it's unlikely to succeed," he explained.

The expert criticized empty patriotic rhetoric and unrealistic promises, stressing the need for a compelling vision for Armenia’s future. "Otherwise, the movement led by Archbishop Bagrat would have gained traction," he added.

Surenyants noted that the clear separation between the teams of Armenia’s second and third presidents could be a positive development, making a repeat of the 2021 election model less likely. He argued that this shift opens the door for building a new political alternative that could lead to a rebranding of Armenia’s political system.

He also revealed that his Democratic Alternative Party is currently in talks with several other political forces to explore future cooperation.