Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced his candidacy for next year’s parliamentary elections, according to reports from Armenian media. It is also noted that Alen Simonyan, Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, intends to participate in the elections as well.
The likelihood of Pashinyan’s victory in the 2026 parliamentary elections, and the reasons behind both his and Simonyan’s candidacies from the same party, have become subjects of public and political debate.
Speaking to EDnews, political analyst Alimusa Ibrahimov stated that Pashinyan’s decision to take part in the elections was expected:
“Over the past few years, Pashinyan has directed all his political efforts toward winning the 2026 parliamentary elections. Undoubtedly, the opposition will also nominate its own candidates, but Pashinyan and his team are confident in their victory. He frequently emphasizes that since 2020, no Armenian soldiers have been killed, which has earned him a certain degree of public sympathy. Moreover, his efforts to end the war and to normalize relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye have had a positive impact on his public image.”
According to the expert, several figures close to the former Karabakh political elite are also expected to run as opposition candidates:
“Russia will likewise seek to support its own candidate in order to maintain political influence in Armenia. However, given the current circumstances, Pashinyan’s chances of winning appear stronger.”
Ibrahimov also commented on the candidacy of Alen Simonyan, the Speaker of Parliament:
“Simonyan’s nomination from the same party can be viewed as a political maneuver. It is highly unlikely that two main candidates will ultimately represent the same party. Simonyan does not possess the same political weight as Pashinyan and remains in his shadow. Nevertheless, his candidacy may have been introduced as an alternative option in case of any unforeseen developments.”
The political analyst concluded that as the elections approach, Armenia’s political environment is expected to become increasingly tense. The main opposition candidates, as well as the political forces that Russia will choose to support, remain uncertain for now.
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