Arman Tatoyan: Former presidents' election bids would raise questions

Former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan says he will question the motives of Armenia’s former presidents should they run in the upcoming parliamentary elections, arguing that their participation undermines opposition unity.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Tatoyan, founder of the Wings of Unity movement, claimed that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan “feeds like a vampire” on debates surrounding previous administrations, strengthening his position by exploiting public grievances tied to their rule. “As long as the political system remains polarized between two camps that include former presidents running in elections, there will be no real prospect for opposition consolidation,” he said.

Tatoyan argues that Pashinyan benefits politically from the involvement of former leaders, attempting to cast himself as an opposition figure in contrast to them. He has invited Pashinyan to a public debate and continues to insist on it. “Let him come and answer these questions. Let him talk about the past and present, though I would prefer to focus on the country’s future,” the ex-ombudsman said.

Tatoyan claims If former presidents choose to enter the race, it will raise doubts about their intentions. “I will question whether they genuinely want to remove Nikol Pashinyan from power or whether there are other motives and issues at pla,” he stated.

Tatoyan reiterated that limiting the participation of former leaders would be the "right approach" for strengthening the opposition’s chances.