Vanetsyan: We have no right to disappoint people again

Homeland Party leader Artur Vanetsyan has stressed the need for responsible action to remove Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government, stressing that Armenia cannot afford another failure.

“We have no right to disappoint the people again,” Vanetsyan said in an interview with News.am on Monday. He expressed doubt over the effectiveness of street protests to achieve regime change, stating that he currently sees no realistic path to power transition through mass mobilization.

"I don’t believe there are any fundamental disagreements among genuine opposition forces when it comes to the ouster of Nikol Pashinyan,” the politician stated. "There may be tactical differences. For example, the Republican Party of Armenia supports the impeachment effort. If the Haysastan Alliance chooses to hold street protests, they are free to do so. I prefer not to get involved in those debates."

Vanetsyan emphasized that the Homeland Party maintains good relations with all opposition forces, including former President Robert Kocharyan and his team. He said he regularly communicates with representatives of various political groups, except those from the ruling Civil Contract party.

“We’re not advocating for inaction during the coming year,” he said. “On the contrary, while not ruling out street protests, we must simultaneously prepare for the upcoming elections. Otherwise, we are doomed to fail.”

Asked about the Homeland Party’s chances in the 2026 parliamentary elections, Vanetsyan was optimistic.

“I have great confidence in our party’s potential. We’ve been working diligently for a long time, establishing offices in almost every enlarged community and drafting a comprehensive political program,” he said. “People often ask me, ‘If the current government falls and you come to power, what will you do?’ That’s the question we need to answer. We are working with expert groups to finalize our program and present a clear vision for Armenia’s future.”

He warned against premature protest movements that lack strategic clarity. “We cannot afford to mobilize people only to let them down again. That would be irresponsible.”

Vanetsyan also claimed that public trust in Prime Minister Pashinyan has plummeted.

“Nikol Pashinyan no longer enjoys widespread public support. His approval rating has dropped below 15%. His main pillar of support now lies within the law enforcement agencies,” the opposition leader stated.

When asked what he envisions following Pashinyan’s removal, Vanetsyan responded: “I know exactly what I would do. There must be a fair and objective investigation into Pashinyan and his administration – one that restores public trust.”

Reflecting on his personal regrets, Vanetsyan said: “My greatest regret is that I was unable to prevent the tragedies our country has faced – the human losses, the fall of Artsakh and the weakening of Armenian statehood. Still, I believe Armenia will rise from this crisis and become the country we have all dreamed of.”