Pashinyan is “racking his brains” to secure re-election in 2026, says Zatulin
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is trying to rally all those dissatisfied with the country’s economic situation—which he himself is blamed for—against businessman Samvel Karapetyan, Konstantin Zatulin, first deputy chairman of the committee of the State Duma for the CIS and relations with Russian nationals abroad, told RIA Novosti.
Zatulin explained that Pashinyan is “racking his brains” to secure re-election in June 2026, and as a new campaign, a struggle in which he intends to drag the whole of Armenia, he has launched a struggle against the Armenian Church.
“Economically, under Pashinyan’s leadership, Armenia cannot afford to sever its economic ties. Thanks to these links, the country demonstrates stable economic growth, especially during the special military operation [in Ukraine], as it has become a hub for circumventing sanctions. Russians have gone there, started businesses, and invested money,” Zatulin said. “This means he benefits because the economy remains interconnected with Russia, but politically, Mr. Pashinyan is in a completely different place.”
Additionally, the politician believes that Karapetyan could become a leader of the Armenian people, and Pashinyan is actually giving him the opportunity to present himself not only as a businessman and benefactor but also as a political figure.
“At the same time, I would also draw attention to a purely human perspective. I know Samvel Karapetyan and am sure that he is sincere when he talks about his Christian roots and respect for the Armenian Church. Overall, the opposite, that is, disrespect toward the Armenian Church, in my opinion, is something extraordinary for an Armenian person; that is a sign of moral deformity,” Zatulin concluded.
Samvel Karapetyan has been charged and taken into custody in Armenia after publicly supporting the Armenian Apostolic Church amid government crackdown. The businessman has denied the charges and called the Armenian authorities incompetent.
