Armenian opposition figure says 'strong peace' hinges on leadership that unites the nation

Artur Mikayelyan, a member of the Strong Armenia party, stressed the need for a change of government in the country ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections, saying lasting peace requires a leader who can unite the country.

In a social media post on Monday, Mikayelyan urged voters not to support Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, accusing him of leading the country into military defeats and deepening internal divisions.

“A weak government has always provoked and will continue to provoke new wars,” Mikayelyan said. “We are coming to say that we will no longer be weak.”

He added that “strong peace” is only possible under leadership that unites the nation rather than divides it.

Mikayelyan expressed support for Samvel Karapetyan, a businessman and philanthropist who leads the Strong Armenia party and is its prime ministerial candidate in the June elections. Karapetyan is currently under house arrest.

According to Mikayelyan, Karapetyan’s Strong Peace program aims to strengthen Armenia’s diplomacy and secure lasting peace through negotiations conducted from a position of strength.