Medianews.az has reviewed the list of individuals who have joined the struggle for the prime minister's seat in Armenia.
On June 7, a parliamentary election will be held in Armenia. To enter the legislature formed by the proportional system, parties must secure 4 percent of the votes and blocs 8-10 percent. To form a government, it is required to obtain 52 percent of the mandates.
The ruling Civil Contract Party has nominated its leader Nikol Pashinyan for the prime minister position.
Nikol Pashinyan, born in 1975, founded the Civil Contract Party in 2013. In 2017, the "My Step" bloc, which this organization was part of, won 9 mandates in the parliament.
Since March 31, 2018, Nikol Pashinyan led the popular movement against President Serzh Sargsyan's intention to become prime minister. On April 9, Serzh Sargsyan's presidential powers ended. On that day, since the country transitioned to a parliamentary system of governance, the executive authority was transferred to the prime minister. On April 17, Serzh Sargsyan took the prime minister's seat but resigned on April 23 due to public protests.
Nikol Pashinyan assumed the post of prime minister on May 8.
In the snap parliamentary election held on December 9 of the same year, Nikol Pashinyan's "My Step" bloc won, and in the snap parliamentary election held on June 20, 2021, the Civil Contract Party won.
The prime minister candidate of the opposition Armenia bloc is Robert Kocharyan, who is unaffiliated with any party. Born in 1954, Robert Kocharyan led the occupying regime in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan from 1992 to 1997. In March 1997, he was appointed prime minister of Armenia. In February 1998, President Levon Ter-Petrosyan resigned. Robert Kocharyan, who began to exercise presidential powers as prime minister, was elected head of state in 1998 and 2003.
The leader of the Blossoming Armenia Party, Gagik Sarukhanyan, is a candidate for the prime minister position under the "Offer to Armenia" initiative. Born in 1956, Gagik Sarukhanyan is a businessman. He founded the Blossoming Armenia Party in 2004. He was elected as a member of parliament in 2003, 2007, 2012, 2017, and 2018. Since 2004, he has been the president of the Armenian National Olympic Committee.
The Strong Armenia bloc wants to see Samvel Karapetyan as prime minister. Born in 1965, Samvel Karapetyan is a businessman operating in Russia. He was arrested in June 2025 on charges of calling for the forcible seizure of power and released to house arrest in December. He is the leader of the Strong Armenia Party, founded in January 2026.
The Armenian National Congress Party's candidate for prime minister is Levon Zurabyan. This party is led by former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Born in 1945, Levon Ter-Petrosyan was Armenia’s head of state since 1990 and held the presidency from 1991 to 1998.
Levon Zurabyan, born in 1964, served as assistant and press secretary to Levon Ter-Petrosyan during his presidency and was a member of parliament from 2012 to 2017.
The New Force Party has nominated its leader Ayk Marutyan for prime minister. Born in 1976, Ayk Marutyan was the mayor of the capital Yerevan from 2018 to 2021.
The "Unity Wing" initiative has nominated its leader Arman Tatoyan for prime minister. Born in 1981, Arman Tatoyan served as ombudsman from 2016 to 2022.
The Armenian parliament consists of at least 101 members. The current legislature, elected in 2021, has 107 members. The Civil Contract Party holds 69 mandates, the Armenia bloc affiliated with Robert Kocharyan holds 27, and the "I'm Proud" bloc affiliated with former president Serzh Sargsyan holds 6 mandates. Four deputies are unaffiliated with any party.
Toğrul Ali,
Medianews.az