Why is Pashinyan pushing for Fourth Republic of Armenia?

At the 7th congress of the Civil Contract party on Saturday, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented the party’s new draft declaration, announcing that Civil Contract proclaims the establishment of the Fourth Republic of Armenia as its next strategic goal.

The draft document says the Civil Contract party:

• relies on the people of the Republic of Armenia,

• is guided by the national interests of the Republic,

• seeks to strengthen the country’s independence and sovereignty,

• has drawn lessons from the history of the Third Republic,

• remains faithful to the mission of serving the Armenian state,

• welcomes the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan,

• and aims to ensure the freedom, security, prosperity and happiness of Armenia and its citizens.

On this basis, the party proclaims the establishment of the Fourth Republic of Armenia as its strategic task.

The declaration outlines several key steps, including:

1. Seeking to extend its governing mandate for another five years in the 2026 parliamentary elections by aiming to form a constitutional majority.

2. Launching the process of adopting a new constitution through a nationwide referendum after securing the people’s mandate.

3. Resting on the principles of the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, affirming Armenia’s internationally recognized sovereignty over 29,743 square kilometers and ensuring the inviolability of its borders.

4. Intensifying efforts toward EU membership while pursuing balanced regional and foreign policy.

5. Continuing to institutionalize peace and good-neighborly relations with all neighbors, based on mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

6. Deepening the fight against corruption and pursuing the confiscation of illegally acquired assets.

7. Advancing democratic reforms by strengthening popular sovereignty, transparency, inclusiveness, judicial independence and institutional development.

8. Promoting education-driven prosperity, modernizing infrastructure, and emphasizing the role of the planned Academic City.

9. Encouraging a free, inclusive and competitive economy, supporting regional unblocking and the Crossroads of Peace project as drivers of development.

“Glory to the martyrs and long live the Republic of Armenia!” the document concludes.

At a press conference after the congress, Pashinyan was asked by a journalist: “What is it about the Third Republic that hinders you?”

"The Third Republic is our republic, our heritage and part of our identity,” he replied. “But we are entering a new stage. If I had to single out the main difference, I would say it is peace. The Third Republic is dear to us, it is our identity, our state and we love it, but new wine must be put into new wineskins."