National Democratic Alliance Leader Calls for Unified Front and EU Integration Ahead of 2026 Elections
10-02-2026 14:39:32 | Armenia | Articles and Analyses
YEREVAN — Arshak Sadoyan, Chairman of the National Democratic Alliance party, has issued a stark warning regarding Armenia's political future, asserting that the upcoming June 7, 2026, parliamentary elections could lead to national "destruction" unless the current political trajectory is fundamentally altered.
In a recent broadcast on Noyan Tapan, Sadoyan criticized the current state of Armenian democracy, arguing that voters remain trapped in a binary choice between the ruling party and former leaders. He characterized this dynamic as a "destructive" cycle orchestrated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and opposition figures from the "Kremlin camp," such as Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan. According to Sadoyan, these leaders exploit public animosity toward one another to maintain a political monopoly that excludes alternative programs and visions.
Central to Sadoyan’s argument is the failure of the political class to present concrete, multi-year development programs. He lamented that Armenian elections have become a contest of personalities—focusing on "who" rather than "what"—rather than a competition of agendas. To counter this, he proposed the formation of a "powerful pre-election alliance" composed of 10 to 15 non-parliamentary parties. This coalition would be required to present a detailed, year-by-year plan for Armenia’s security and development, with a commitment to resign if key benchmarks are not met within the first two years of governance.
Sadoyan emphasized that Armenia's survival in a volatile geopolitical environment depends on its alignment with the "civilized world". He explicitly rejected a "pro-Russian" path, citing the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh as definitive proof of the dangers of Moscow-centric policies. Instead, he advocated for a strategic pivot toward Europe, stating that "the only way out for Armenia is to become a member of the European Union".
To facilitate this transition and overcome internal party disputes over leadership, Sadoyan announced the creation of an "investor's platform" or "supporters' platform" on social media. This platform is intended to host "primaries," allowing supporters to vote on the alliance’s program and determine candidates for Prime Minister and Parliament based on merit and popular support rather than backroom negotiations.
Sadoyan concluded by urging fragmented extra-parliamentary forces to set aside mutual hostilities and personal ambitions. He warned that if the dozens of existing parties remain divided, their votes will once again be "atomized," as seen in the 2021 elections, effectively handing victory back to the current administration and leaving Armenia vulnerable to further sovereignty losses.
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