Republican Party of Armenia Reshapes Itself Ahead of 2026 Elections

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has dismissed speculation about early parliamentary elections, affirming that the next vote will take place as scheduled in June 2026. With Armenia’s parliamentary system granting executive power to the leader of the ruling party, the upcoming elections are seen as crucial not only for the country’s domestic trajectory but also for its relations with Azerbaijan, Russia, and Georgia.

Independent Armenian analyst David Li identifies three major political forces with realistic chances in the 2026 elections: Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party, the pro-Russian Mother Armenia party led by former president Robert Kocharyan, and the centrist Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), led by former president Serzh Sargsyan. The latter two are staunchly opposed to Pashinyan and have historically played key roles in Armenia’s Karabakh policies.

While Armenia’s political landscape includes nationalist and pro-Western factions, Li argues that these groups lack structured leadership and cohesive electoral appeal. “Their electorate tends to be fragmented, prone to internal strife, and consumed by paranoia, making it difficult to form a viable political force,” he said.

According to Li, the competition in 2025 will center around the three main parties. Should the RPA manage to enhance its public image, present a coherent vision for Armenia’s future, and consolidate internal support, it could emerge as a kingmaker—potentially forcing the eventual winner into a coalition.

Meanwhile, pre-election rivalries are already intensifying. Tensions between Kocharyan and Sargsyan have led to open confrontations, with pro-Kocharyan factions targeting the RPA through attacks and political maneuvering. Kocharyan’s son, Levon Kocharyan, a parliamentary deputy, has struggled to rein in provocations from his father’s supporters.

At the same time, Li observes a process of “self-purification” within the RPA, as it distances itself from controversial past alliances and refines its political messaging. “The party is shedding its baggage, taking a principled stance on key issues, and adopting a more calculated strategy. It no longer accommodates past alliances—it calls things as they are,” he said.

With the 2026 elections still over a year away, Armenia’s political landscape remains fluid, but the battle lines are already being drawn.