Gagik Tsarukyan says his party's PM candidate will be named soon

Businessman and philanthropist Gagik Tsarukyan says his political bloc will nominate a prime ministerial candidate who represents the country’s future rather than established political camps.

“Our candidate is neither from the old nor the new. He is the prime minister of the future,” Tsarukyan told reporters outside a courthouse. He declined to name the candidate, saying the announcement will be made “in due time”.

Tsarukyan, a former MP who launched the Proposal to Armenia initiative, emphasized that Armenia faces serious challenges that require focus and action rather than rhetoric.

Responding to recent remarks by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan about “strong men”, Tsarukyan said strength should be measured by achievements, not statements. “We are strong through our work. Ask the public,” he said.

He also criticized Pashinyan’s remarks that a failure by the ruling Civil Contract party to secure a constitutional majority in upcoming elections could lead to renewed war. Tsarukyan said no one wants conflict, but argued that peace must be guaranteed through firm agreements with powerful allies rather than concessions.

“As a small state, we need strong partners,” he said, adding that Armenia could secure lasting peace by signing agreements with several influential countries.

Tsarukyan further pointed to ongoing security concerns, including the occupation of sovereign Armenian territories by Azerbaijan and continued imprisonment of Armenians held in Baku, questioning whether current conditions can be described as peace.

Addressing claims that opposition figures face detention, Tsarukyan said he himself had been investigated and detained, adding that “a person who is confident and clean has nothing to fear”.

Tsarukyan confirmed he will lead the Prosperous Armenia Party in the parliamentary elections scheduled for June. The party plans to unveil its candidate list at a congress in March, with no coalition agreements expected.