Opposition victory would have prevented Civil Contract from taking steps against Catholicos – Alen Ghevondyan

Speaking with Alpha News, political scientist Alen Ghevondyan commented on the elections in the Vagharshapat community and outlined the conclusions that should be drawn from them.

“From an informational standpoint, this experience was useful, since elections will also be held in 2026, and any developments in the situation provide important data for further political planning. If the opposition had won in Etchmiadzin, two key issues would have been immediately resolved. First, it would have prevented the Civil Contract party, led by Nikol, from taking steps against the Catholicos—whether a rally or an attack on the residence. Second, it would have prevented the Civil Contract from using administrative resources in the 2026 elections in Etchmiadzin. Yes, at the very least, these two circumstances are extremely important,” Ghevondyan emphasized.

According to him, these elections have revealed a number of new figures, and it has become clear that sometimes, even with loud statements, it is impossible to enter the political agenda alone.

The political scientist also noted that Armenia’s electoral code has long been amended.

“Any local government election is essentially political. But our society doesn’t perceive it as such, because after the elections, people return to civilian life and turn to their community leaders to resolve their problems, without attaching political significance to the elections. For the current prime minister, of course, these are political elections, and he will, to some extent, blame the voters for the attack on the Catholicos’s residence. He’ll say, ‘You elected me, I said there would be change, so you too are part of this process,’” Ghevondyan concluded.