Armenian official dismisses claims that government avoids debates with opposition

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan rejected suggestions that the authorities, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, are reluctant to participate in debates with opposition figures. 

The comments followed an initiative by Arman Tatoyan, head of the Wings of Unity political movement and former Armenian Ombudsman, who on November 27 sent an official letter inviting Pashinyan to take part in an open, live public debate on January 15 at 7 p.m., Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media. 

Simonyan responded jokingly, saying the authorities were not losing sleep over the matter and suggesting that claims of fear were unfounded. He argued that if Tatoyan takes part in the 2026 parliamentary elections, a debate would inevitably occur within the framework of the legally established pre-election debate system.

He described allegations that officials were afraid to debate Tatoyan as “fake news” and stressed that the issue was one of "status," noting that a sitting prime minister cannot enter debates with the leaders of newly created political parties. Simonyan illustrated the point by asking rhetorically whether he should invite figures such as Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin to a debate.

The speaker said Pashinyan is ready to debate any political figure with appropriate standing and noted that the prime minister regularly engages with opposition lawmakers during government question time in parliament.

Simonyan suggested that Tatoyan invite former Armenian presidents to a debate instead and said he agreed with Tatoyan’s earlier view that it might be better for the former leaders not to participate in the 2026 elections. While acknowledging that Tatoyan could potentially win, he urged the opposition to focus on preparing for the 2031 parliamentary elections.

Pashinyan has previously extended invitations to all three former Armenian presidents — Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Robert Kocharyan, and Serzh Sargsyan — to debate him live on television.

On November 27, the prime minister told reporters that he had initially accepted invitations from various political groups interested in participating ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. He confirmed that a live debate would be organised during the election campaign.

The next parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled for June 2026.

By Sabina Mammadli