Armenian opposition may gain opening if government pursues constitutional changes, analyst says

Armenia's political opposition could have its best opportunity to resolve the country's ongoing political crisis if Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan moves forward with constitutional changes, political analyst Benyamin Matevosyan said during a public discussion marking the fourth death anniversary of producer Armen Grigoryan.

Matevosyan argued that Armenia's political crisis was not resolved by the country's parliamentary elections but instead deepened. He noted that, before the vote, Pashinyan had said public support would be demonstrated by winning "50% plus one" of the vote.

"Very well," Matevosyan said. "Nikol Pashinyan did not receive that 50%."

He also said Pashinyan's Civil Contract party failed to secure a constitutional majority in parliament, attributing the outcome to high voter turnout.

"I saw examples of entire extended families participating in the elections," Matevosyan said. "It was thanks to that participation that Nikol Pashinyan was unable to gain a constitutional majority."

According to Matevosyan, the prime minister faces a series of political commitments, the most significant of which concerns constitutional changes.

"There are not many ways to implement them," he said. "The moment he tries to push those constitutional changes in parliament, that will be the opposition's chance to achieve a resolution to the political crisis."