Armenian PM's participation in final pre-election rally in Gyumri under scrutiny

The Civil Contract party is currently discussing whether Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will participate in the final pre-election rally in Gyumri.

While ordinary members of the party are refraining from commenting on the matter, sources suggest there is a strong possibility that Pashinyan will personally conclude the campaign, Caliber.Az reports via Armenia’s Hraparak newspaper.

This may include employing black PR tactics against other candidates, a strategy that has been used in the past. Major public debates, which are required by law to feature the leaders of the electoral lists, are set to take place on Armenia’s Public Television on March 27. It appears that the full focus of the government’s efforts is concentrated in Gyumri, while other regions seem to have been neglected. Further developments indicate that Pashinyan canceled his previously scheduled visit to Syunik due to the upcoming elections in Gyumri.

Pashinyan had been expected to attend the "Artavazd-2025" award ceremony in Gafan, also scheduled for March 27. However, sources indicate that the local Civil Contract office in Gafan is pleased with the cancellation of Pashinyan’s visit. This is largely due to the concerns surrounding the recent elections for the territorial council of Gafan, which were marked by clear violations. The local leadership of the party is worried that ordinary party members might take the opportunity to voice their discontent if Pashinyan were present.

By Naila Huseynova