Armenian opposition leader warns of 'dangerous path' ahead of June 7 vote

Samvel Karapetyan, the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition Strong Armenia party, has sharply criticized the country’s leadership, warning that Armenia is on a “dangerous course” as it approaches parliamentary elections on June 7.

In an interview with 168.am on Wednesday, Karapetyan accused the government of pursuing policies that undermine national security and risk depopulating Armenian settlements. “The authorities show no willingness to listen or understand. They are leading Armenia down a path that endangers the country and its people,” he said.

Karapetyan charged that the government’s policies led to Artsakh’s depopulation and could allow Azerbaijani settlement in Armenia’s border regions, particularly Syunik. “If we do not stop the current government on June 7, we will face 300,000 Azerbaijanis in Armenia,” he claimed, adding that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev “speaks about it every day.”

He argued that the ruling party is focused on securing reelection, while ignoring security risks.