Prosperous Armenia spokesperson accuses Pashinyan of escalating political rhetoric

Iveta Tonoyan, spokesperson for the Prosperous Armenia Party, on Wednesday criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan over his increasingly aggressive rhetoric and conduct, warning that the country’s political climate had become “truly urgent.”

Speaking at an emergency news conference organized by members of the party’s political team, Tonoyan said her remarks were prompted by Pashinyan’s language and public behavior over the past several days as Armenia prepares to hold parliamentary elections in June.

“At a time when political forces are presenting their programs, visions and ideologies to the public, Pashinyan and his team have chosen a different path,” Tonoyan said. “There is no substantive political message or constructive criticism — only unacceptable rhetoric, erratic behavior and threats of retaliation, including physical threats.”

Tonoyan said the prime minister’s conduct was beyond unacceptable and accused him of abandoning substantive political debate in favor of inflammatory public displays.

“The more the Prosperous Armenia Party and Gagik Tsarukyan remain focused on a balanced and program-driven agenda, the more unrestrained Nikol Pashinyan becomes,” she said.

She also took aim at populist theatrics by the prime minister, arguing that spectacle had replaced policy discussion.

“I understand that climbing onto pickup trucks and staging scenes designed for attention may generate more views for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan,” Tonoyan said. “But I urge him to return to constructive political discourse and present at least one concrete proposal for how his government plans to lead the country out of the current situation.”