Heritage Party Issues Statement on Armenian Parliamentary Elections Amidst Deepening Crisis
Yerevan, June 18 – The Heritage Party today released a statement asserting that the regular parliamentary elections of the Republic of Armenia, held on June 7, 2026, have not only failed to resolve but have further deepened and exacerbated the internal social and political crisis. The party attributes this to the anti-state and anti-Armenian activities, and at times inaction, of the ruling political force over recent years.
Flawed Electoral Process and Questionable Results
Based on the pre-election, election, and post-election periods, the Heritage Party makes the following observations:
A. The regular parliamentary elections of June 7, 2026, took place under conditions of unequal competition, evident abuse of state resources, and biased treatment by law enforcement agencies. These factors significantly impacted the free expression of will of Armenian citizens.
B. The figures and percentages presented in the final protocol published by the Central Election Commission (CEC) are problematic. They do not correspond to the already distorted will of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, the principles of democracy, and contain clear elements and episodes of legal challenge.
C. The ruling political force no longer enjoys legitimate support. Even the figures and percentages they themselves have reported indicate that more than fifty percent of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia do not support their political program and agenda.
D. A comprehensive and fair analysis of the facts reveals that not all opposition leaders and teams involved in the electoral process demonstrated a state-oriented mindset. They failed to form and present to Armenian citizens a political alternative that encompassed all social strata and colors.
Call for a United Opposition Front
Considering the above, the Heritage Party calls on all forces concerned about the endangered future of the Republic of Armenia, and the leaders of the anti-occupation and constitutional struggle, to form a common agenda and a united anti-government front to prevent another act of national surrender.
“The homeland belongs to all of us, and victory belongs to the people,” the statement concluded.
Context of the Crisis
This statement from the Heritage Party comes amidst a period of heightened political tension in Armenia. Recent news from June 17, 2026, includes reports such as Aram Orbelyan stating that the case against Robert Kocharyan lacks legal grounds, discussions regarding the initiative to export fish to EU countries, and a proposal to add another holiday, Navasard, to the law. Additionally, the CEC satisfied the Prosecutor’s Office’s motion against Davit Ghazinyan.
Other significant events on June 17th and 18th include the official start of the “Eagle Partner 2026” military exercise, Azerbaijan’s destruction of two monuments in Astghashen, the Stockholm Arbitration Tribunal satisfying the Armenian Government’s key motion in the ENA case, and a school bus overturning with casualties. There are also reports on who profits from the “Western Azerbaijan” myth, a major tragedy being prevented in Ajapnyak, a project aimed at further digitizing the cash register system, and an initiative to prevent gambling. Furthermore, a medium-pressure underground gas pipeline was damaged, causing gas outages in several settlements in the Shirak region, and the body of a 7-year-old girl was found in the Pambak River during ongoing search operations.
Earlier news from June 15, 2026, indicates Russia’s desire to maintain multifaceted partnership with Yerevan, the Armenian Minister of Defense’s participation in Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, and Ruben Vardanyan’s wife preparing a humanitarian mission to Baku. On June 11, 2026, the State Duma increased the fee for obtaining and renouncing Russian citizenship by 12 times. Concerns about the legitimacy of Armenian elections were also raised by the State Duma on June 8, 2026, with “Strong Armenia” reporting mass pressure and administrative resource abuse. Maria Zakharova commented on the Armenian elections, noting that society is “extremely polarized,” while the EU congratulated Pashinyan, signaling a new phase of partnership. CIS observers recognized the Armenian parliamentary elections as legitimate on June 8, 2026. On June 7, 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs ruled out a coalition and warned of post-election shocks.
The “VERELQ” information-analytical center, based in Yerevan, studies and covers important events in the social-political and economic spheres of Armenia, as well as the role and influence of the Armenian diaspora in various countries around the world. The center’s work is carried out by a group of professional journalists and experts interested in strengthening Armenian statehood and the rise of Armenia.
