Pre-election rhetoric in Armenia is based on criticism of opponents

At meetings with voters, Nikol Pashinyan, the head of the ruling Civil Contract party, talks about Armenia's successes under his leadership and criticizes the former government and oligarchs. Gagik Tsarukyan accused the country's leadership of pressuring the opposition, Robert Kocharyan called the government's policies aggressive, and Samvel Karapetyan focused on Pashinyan's squabbles with Karabakh refugees.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," the promises of the four main political forces participating in the parliamentary elections in Armenia touched on reducing poverty, creating new jobs, increasing pensions, and raising GDP. Analysts believe most of these promises are simply populism.

In Armenia, leaders of the main political forces continue active campaigning in the regions, publishing reports on meetings with residents, visits to cities and villages, and statements on key campaign issues on Facebook*. The Caucasian Knot reviewed and translated social media posts by Armenian politicians over the past 24 hours. Judging by this cross-section of statements, the four main political forces are combining reports of their regional visits and meetings with voters with emotional statements, lofty promises, and attacks on their rivals.

Pashinyan spoke of the country's achievements under his leadership

In his posts over the past 24 hours, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has emphasized the government's achievements, reforms, and changes in the country. During meetings with voters, he regularly emphasizes that the government has succeeded in changing the governance system and strengthening state institutions.

"There is a new army in the Republic of Armenia today," Nikol Pashinyan stated.

He also claims that the government has succeeded in changing the country's economic system and reducing the influence of large business groups on politics. He links this topic to improving the investment climate.

"Armenia is becoming a better place for doing business, and as a result, the oligarchy is being steadily eradicated," Pashinyan wrote.

There is no one in Armenia who would think they are above the law and the rule of law.

Another constant theme of his speeches remains the rule of law and the fight against impunity for former elites. These statements are accompanied by criticism of the previous political system.

"There is no one in Armenia who would think they are above the law and the rule of law. "This is the essence of today's Armenia," the Prime Minister noted.

The opposition criticizes the government's actions

Former President Robert Kocharyan has, in his speeches over the past 24 hours, emphasized the socio-economic problems of the regions and criticized the policies of the current authorities. A significant portion of his statements focused on the situation in villages and the decline in infrastructure.

"The problem of spatial development is everywhere." "Closing schools, cutting various services, creating inconveniences for ordinary people," Kocharyan stated.

I have never seen such a dirty campaign in Armenia. The reason for all of this is the irresponsible government.

At the same time, the former president blames the authorities for the aggressive nature of the election campaign and the rise in political tensions.

"I have never seen such a dirty campaign in Armenia. The reason for all of this is the irresponsible government," he noted.

Kocharyan separately raised the issue of rural schools, contrasting the current situation with his presidency.

"During my presidency, we built about 140 schools and did not close a single one. Now, if they build two schools, then 6-8 schools will be closed. "Even if a village has one or five children, the village must have a school," Kocharyan said.

The authorities are once again attempting to turn the election campaign into an atmosphere of threats, political blackmail, and fear.

Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan has also focused on criticizing the authorities and the campaign atmosphere in his publications over the past 24 hours. He accused the country's leadership of pressuring the opposition and attempting to intimidate.

"These days, unfortunately, the authorities are once again attempting to turn the election campaign into an atmosphere of threats, political blackmail, and fear. "Anyone who speaks loudly about democracy today does not tolerate prejudice and responds to every criticism from the opposition with aggression and repression," Tsarukyan said.

Samvel Karapetyan and his Strong Armenia party have not issued any significant political statements over the past 24 hours, focusing primarily on meetings and organizational campaign matters.

19:33 18.05.2026

Pashinyan showed aggression towards Karabakh refugees twice in one day

In response to questions from refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan resorted to insults and threats during meetings with voters. After this, clinic employee Armine Soghoyan, who asked about casualties in the Karabakh wars, was asked to resign, and Artur Osipyan was detained on suspicion of hooliganism after an altercation with the prime minister.

However, the day before, Karapetyan commented on the high-profile conflict between Pashinyan and a woman during a meeting.

"Dragging women and spreading false news are Pashinyan's cowardly methods," Karapetyan stated.

Over the past 24 hours, Pashinyan has been building his campaign around strengthening the state and the army, economic reforms, and strengthening the rule of law, while his opponents have focused primarily on criticism of the government, social issues, and the campaign atmosphere itself. At the same time, all major political forces continue to use regional visits and meetings with voters as their primary campaign format, accompanying them with increasingly harsh political statements.