Armenian opposition claims Pashinyan’s rule erased sovereignty and dignity

Aram Manukyan, Deputy Chairman of the Armenian National Congress party, has sharply criticised Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government, claiming it has led to a "complete loss of autonomy and dignity" in Armenia.

Manukyan highlighted the detrimental effects of Pashinyan's rule on the country's sovereignty and independence, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“Pashinyan's steps have directly affected the sovereignty and independence of the country. We have lost Artsakh, our hopes for the possibility of Artsakh's self-determination have been lost,” Manukyan stated.

He lamented the reduction of Armenia’s holiday calendar, noting that significant national holidays symbolizing dignity have been removed. “Today there are people who consider September 19 as the day of Armenia's sovereignty,” he added.

Manukyan emphasized that under Pashinyan, Armenia has ceased to be an active player on the international stage. “The country has been deprived of the ability to make decisions on issues that directly concern its territory,” he remarked.

He criticized the government's actions that forced Armenia to withdraw lawsuits from international courts and surrender strategic enclaves.

“We have so lost our sovereignty that we are forbidden to build a factory on our own territory,” he said, stressing that Armenia as an independent nation has effectively ceased to exist. “This is all the merit of the current government,” he claimed, adding that it is particularly troubling that the government attempts to portray these setbacks as successes.

“This is a fountain of impudence, a record of cynicism. How can you lose everything, surrender everything, be a loser, and at the same time try to present it all as a victory?” Manukyan questioned, calling for a reassessment of the country's direction under Pashinyan's leadership.

By Khagan Isayev