Pashinyan's continued leadership reflects opposition weakness, ex-mayor says

Former Mayor of Vanadzor Mamikon Aslanyan believes that Armenia’s opposition should employ the tool of impeachment against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, regardless of its outcome or level of support.

Speaking to reporters outside the National Assembly ahead of a debate initiated by the Pativ Unem faction on National Crisis and Governance Failure on Friday, Aslanyan argued that Pashinyan’s continued leadership signals the weakness of the opposition.

“As long as Pashinyan remains in office, it demonstrates that the opposition is unable to replace him,” Aslanyan said. He noted, however, that the opposition itself is not monolithic, but rather a complex, multi-layered force with differing approaches.

He emphasized that diversity of opinion is natural in politics, but constructive dialogue is essential to reaching consensus. When asked why the opposition has not united if its primary goal is Pashinyan’s ouster, Aslanyan responded:
“If the struggle is aimed at the change of government and is leader, setting aside political differences fits that logic. It’s hard to say why this has not happened and what factors hinder or facilitate it.”