Expert: Pashinyan sees church as a source of alternative information ahead of elections

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church is largely driven by domestic political considerations as the country moves closer to the 2026 parliamentary elections, according to political technologist Armen Badalyan.

“The prime minister and his team have complete control over the public television. Particularly in rural communities far from major cities, he has used it to shape a positive public image. As a result, Pashinyan’s approval rating tends to be higher in these areas,” Badalyan told Panorama.am on Wednesday.

However, he noted that the clergy remain deeply engaged with the public through baptisms, liturgies and other community events. The gatherings provide opportunities for the church to share perspectives that often diverge from the government's narrative.

“In this context, the church functions as a potential source of alternative information. That's why the government seeks to exert control over it. This is the rationale behind the Armenian leadership’s anti-church campaign," the expert explained.

Badalyan argued that while the authorities’ ultimate goal is the replacement of Catholicos Karekin II, the prime minister lacks the authority to do so.

“He may try to create obstacles for the Catholicos by directly or indirectly preventing him from accessing the Mother See, but he cannot elect or dismiss the church leader. There are strict canonical procedures in place and the church is a nationwide institution,” Badalyan emphasized.

He also highlighted Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan’s decision to voluntarily appear before the Investigative Committee. “Had he not done so, the authorities might have accused the Catholicos of shielding an alleged criminal, giving them further grounds to act against him,” Badalyan noted.