Newspaper: Pashinyan’s vacation may hide plans for major religious leadership shake-up

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan remains intent on removing the Catholicos from office and is said to be developing a detailed plan to carry out the operation without failure, according to a July 29 report by the newspaper Zhokhovurd, cited by Caliber.Az.

“Nikol Pashinyan has not yet abandoned his intention to enter the Catholicos' residence and remove him from office,” the publication reported. “According to our information, Pashinyan told his team that this must be done according to a carefully calculated plan that excludes failure, and that if they manage to enter the residence, they will ensure a 100% result.”

The report further noted that the authorities are confident the prime minister’s initiative will be carried out, stating: “The authorities are convinced that Pashinyan's plan to remove the Catholicos will be implemented sooner or later — we just need to be patient.”

While Pashinyan has not disclosed a specific date for the operation, he reportedly told close associates, “The longer the Catholicos delays his departure, the more advantageous it is for us.” Sources within the government quoted by the newspaper believe that “sooner or later the Catholicos will resign voluntarily,” despite mounting pressure from political forces urging him to stay.

The article also pointed out that Pashinyan has yet to share the full details of his plans regarding Vekharen — the official residence of the Catholicos — even with his own team, but added: “Everyone is waiting with bated breath for his orders.”

Zhokhovurd concluded its report by noting that the prime minister began an extended vacation on July 28 and is expected to remain absent from government until August 15. “It is difficult to say what surprises the prime minister has in store during his vacation,” the publication remarked.

By Tamilla Hasanova