Pashinyan’s "revolutionary hammer": Major resignations loom in Armenia’s government

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has reportedly taken a firm stance within state structures, with insiders suggesting that he has now turned his attention to reshuffling government positions, now targeting the governors. 

According to sources close to the ruling Civil Contract party, the next phase will see resignations among regional leaders. 

"It has become clear to members of the Civil Contract that beardless Nikol Pashinyan has taken the ‘revolutionary hammer’ out of the box and entered state structures. Now, according to sources close to the Civil Contract, it's the governors' turn - there will be resignations among them as well," the Yerevan-based newspaper Iravunk notes, per Caliber.Az.

As detailed in the newspaper, governors are working quickly to tie up loose ends in anticipation of potential dismissals. The report notes that these officials are particularly focused on avoiding any criminal charges that might emerge should they be suddenly removed from office. Concerns are especially high following the appointment of the new Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, who is said to be closely aligned with Pashinyan’s preferences, operating under the guiding principle of "Let everything be according to Nicol's heart."

This political shake-up comes on the heels of earlier reports indicating that top Armenian officials are facing a second wave of resignations due to Pashinyan’s dissatisfaction with their performance. According to Hraparak, the resignation of high-level officials is imminent, with sources suggesting that both Minister of Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan and Minister of Health Anait Avanesyan are in the line of fire. Pashinyan is reportedly frustrated with Mkrtchyan's failure to secure a victory for the ruling Civil Contract party in his home village of Parakar. Meanwhile, Avanesyan is criticized for the poor state of public administration in the health sector, particularly the failure to implement health insurance reforms.

The wave of resignations gained momentum on November 20, when Pashinyan announced the appointment of David Khudatyan, Governor of Armavir Province, as the new Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. Khudatyan, a close ally of Pashinyan and his godson, had only recently been appointed governor in January 2024. His appointment marks the latest step in a broader reshuffle that began on November 17.

This reshuffle saw the removal of several prominent officials, including Sassun Khachatryan, head of the Anti-Corruption Committee; Karen Andreasyan, chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council; Gnel Sanosyan, the previous Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure; Rustam Badalyan, head of the State Revenue Committee; Argishti Kyaramyan, head of the Investigative Committee; and Vahé Kazaryan, Minister of Internal Affairs.

The reshuffle comes after a government meeting in which Pashinyan sharply criticized the performance of Armenia’s law enforcement and judicial bodies, setting the stage for the latest round of political upheaval in the country.

By Tamilla Hasanova