Armenian opposition claims stronger support than Pashinyan and allies

Armenia’s collective opposition commands more support than Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his allied forces, MP Garnik Danielyan of the Hayastan faction insists.

Commenting on a recent International Republican Institute (IRI) survey showing Pashinyan’s party in the lead on Friday, Danielyan cited a climate of fear in the country. “Given the current situation in Armenia and the atmosphere of fear displayed at ruling party meetings, where ordinary questions are met with hostility, people naturally feel intimidated,” he told reporters.

Danielyan questioned IRI survey objectivity, noting that people have faced job loss or detention for their political views, making candid responses unlikely. He added that most people avoid answering questions about elections.

The lawmaker said opposition parties have three months to present their programs and assess the ruling party’s failures. “Our own surveys are encouraging and differ from these results. Pashinyan’s party has no chance of retaining power. Their negative ratings are the highest, and their poll numbers do not allow them to form a majority. Several opposition blocs have far greater prospects, reflected in our findings,” he said.

Danielyan emphasized that opposition rallies across the regions have drawn full halls, sometimes with attendees standing, and expressed confidence that Pashinyan’s low ratings are irreversible.