Hayakve to join forces with allies for parliamentary elections

Armenia’s Hayakve civic initiative will take part in upcoming parliamentary elections in cooperation with other ideologically aligned forces, aiming to consolidate opposition votes and seek a regime change in the country.

“We will join forces with other like-minded structures and organizations,” its co-founder Avetik Chalabyan said on Wednesday, citing the need for a united front to prevent the fragmentation of opposition votes and to “achieve real change of power.”

Chalabyan declined to name potential partners, saying details would be announced later to avoid breaching negotiation ethics.

If elected, the group pledged to reform the education system by returning to 11-year schooling, increase pensions by 50% over two years with annual indexation, boost defense spending and make military service more attractive. It also vowed to close social divisions and strengthen national unity in the face of external threats.

Initiative member Menua Soghomonyan said the group would prevent the closure of schools in border communities and prioritize investment in education and science, arguing that modern security begins “not in the trenches, but in classrooms and laboratories.”

Referring to security policy, Avetik Kerobyan said the goal would be to ensure that any external aggressor faces “irreparable losses”, deterring attacks against Armenia.

Economist Hrayr Kamendatyan criticized current pension levels of 36,000 drams as insufficient and pledged immediate work toward raising benefits if the initiative members form the government.