Mer Dzevov movement insists on change of power in Armenia

Armenia needs a new leader and a fresh political direction to safeguard national identity and revive the economy, Narek Karapetyan, coordinator of the Mer Dzevov (In Our Way) movement founded by jailed businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, said in an interview aired on Public TV Company on Friday.

Speaking to host Petros Ghazaryan, Karapetyan said Armenia’s “national identity is under threat” and argued that a change of power is necessary to form a new government with a different approach. He said the movement was considering Samvel Karapetyan as a potential leader.

Karapetyan said the country needed a program of social cohesion to overcome deep political polarization.

Referring to relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, he said Armenia should pursue peaceful coexistence in the region but warned against security risks. “We must not allow neighboring countries to pose a threat to Armenia by creating an artificial Azerbaijani community,” he said, adding any peace agreement should be backed by credible guarantees. “Peace is our key priority. We need a strong leader. Without one, we will not have guarantors.”

Karapetyan also criticized the government’s economic record, saying the share of industry in Armenia’s economy had fallen by 9-10% under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration and was now at a historic low.

“The main problem our country faces today is the economy,” he said. “We need a leader with economic expertise. Industry’s share is declining. Our country needs a new leader, a new name, a new style.”