Armenian media reports Western backlash against Pashinyan Claims of fifth column formation

The Armenian daily Hraparak has reported growing discontent within the pro-Western faction of the ruling Civil Contract party regarding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent diplomatic maneuvers.

The West is displeased with Pashinyan’s shift of the peace process to a Russian-led platform and perceives this move as a betrayal, the Armenian publication says, Caliber.Az reports.

Hraparak alleges that Pashinyan has "deceived" Western interests by deepening ties with Baku, advocating for a respectful stance towards Russia, and opposing a referendum on European Union accession. The newspaper suggests that the pro-Western segment of the Civil Contract party views these actions as a significant pivot away from Western alignment.

In response, there is speculation that the West might support an intra-party faction aiming to challenge Pashinyan’s leadership. This faction is expected to be more aligned with Western interests and could potentially seek to organize protests or internal dissent to weaken Pashinyan’s position and ultimately seek to replace him.