Karapetyan says Civil Contract's grip weakening ahead of elections

Businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, the prime ministerial candidate of the Strong Armenia party, claims Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party is shrinking into a small circle of loyalists as the country heads toward elections.

In an interview on Friday, Karapetyan explained why opposition forces have not consolidated into larger blocs. “We cooperate only with forces that do not harm us. We have weighed everything and introduced a new model — not alliances, but support. I am confident that before the elections, more forces will announce their support for us,” he remarked.

Karapetyan said internal polling shows only four parties are likely to enter the parliament. “We have declared that we are going for an absolute victory. At this stage, we rely on ourselves,” he added.

He accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government of deliberately fostering division. “The government, lacking other ways to govern, created chaos, because in chaos it is easier to rule — the people are not united, everyone is against everyone,” Karapetyan said. He pledged that under his leadership Armenia would become “a safe home for all Armenians,” and assured Civil Contract members who have acted professionally and honestly that they would not face retribution. “Those who have clean hands and have fulfilled their duties conscientiously will continue to work, perhaps in even better positions,” he said.

Karapetyan dismissed Civil Contract as a dwindling force. “Only four or five people remain who are leading the country to destruction. The rest are our compatriots — misled and deceived. The small group is shrinking every day. By the time we reach the elections, I hope only Pashinyan will have remained,” he said.