Kocharyan says opposition has rare chance to unite

Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said on Thursday the country’s political climate is “unique”, creating a rare opportunity for opposition groups to work together ahead of elections.

Speaking at a press conference, Kocharian, who led Armenia from 1998 to 2008, highlighted that the current debate differs sharply from past campaigns. “I don’t recall any election in Armenia’s history where the political struggle was framed as ‘Ararat or Aragats.’ There has never been discussion about defending national identity or the unity of the church. The current situation is unique,” he said.

Kocharyan suggested that opposition parties, despite their differences, now share common positions on fundamental issues. He said this alignment could pave the way for greater cooperation, synchronized messaging, and joint work with media outlets.

“This is an exceptional situation, which gives optimism that large pre-election blocs can be formed, since approaches to core issues are the same,” Kocharian added.