The topic of impeachment has remained a recurring theme in Armenia’s political discourse since the 2021 elections. Now, it has resurfaced with renewed intensity as the “With Honor” faction of Armenia’s National Assembly unanimously voted during its June 7 session to submit a motion of no confidence against Nikol Pashinyan.
This initiative follows a public statement issued by the Executive Body of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), reinforcing the faction’s stance. As part of the motion, Davit Hambardzumyan, head of the Masis community and member of the RPA Council, has been nominated as the opposition’s candidate for the prime ministerial post.
In its announcement, the faction emphasized its adherence to the constitutional law governing the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure and affirmed its intent to submit the formal parliamentary initiative in the near future. The faction also echoed earlier calls for national unity, urging political actors and media outlets to rise above internal divisions in pursuit of national governance.
Pro-government commentators have dismissed the impeachment effort as a political stunt aimed at boosting opposition visibility ahead of the 2026 elections. A member of the Civil Contract faction, Arsen Torosyan argues that the Republican Party of Armenia and its allies lack the necessary support from MPs and that the real goal of this announcement is to stage a PR campaign rather than initiate a meaningful political change.
The members of the Armenia Alliance, affiliated with former President Robert Kocharyan, have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of removing the Prime Minister through parliamentary means. They argue that for the motion to succeed, at least 18 MPs from the ruling Civil COntract party would need to support it – an outcome viewed as highly unlikely.
This is not the first time an impeachment process has come close to materializing. In 2024, during the height of the “Tavush for the homeland,” Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Tavush Diocese, was declared the opposition’s prime-ministerial candidate. However, the effort was ultimately abandoned before proceedings could formally begin.
Moreover, on April 28, members of the “We Are Awake” movement submitted individually addressed letters to 107 MPs via the National Assembly’s correspondence office. These letters urged deputies to launch a vote of no confidence against Pashinyan within a reasonable timeframe.
According to Armenian law, a motion of no confidence can be introduced in the National Assembly only if it is supported by at least 36 signatures from MPs. For the motion to pass, it must secure a minimum of 54 votes— a simple majority in the 107-member parliament.
