What the Vagharshapat election reveals: Abraham Gasparyan’s key takeaways

What does the Vagharshapat election reveal? Political analyst and director of the Genesis Armenia Think Tank/Foundation, Abraham Gasparyan, writes:

1. The opposition should not be written off. The Civil Contract party’s majority in the city council is about to be put to a serious test. The government’s tedious method of trying to lure voters with its worn-out slogans is a thing of the past.

2. Fake “superheroes” no longer help secure the government’s confident victories—with their Facebook algorithms, and virtual political circus shows. Anyway, the city of Etchmiadzin—known for “toppling Manvel”—is resisting the government’s hollow propaganda, anti-church stance, corrupt reputation, and ineffective governance.

3. Not supporting the opposition in the streets does not mean losing the ability to sense the approaching national disaster. People may remain silent, but still refuse to vote for the government—despite the pressure.

4. A high voter turnout can change the course of future events.

5. The driving force behind the Civil Contract party’s electoral success in Vagharshapat is not the factor of the government’s national reputation, but the candidate’s personal vote—shaped by social ties and the weight or familiarity of a well-known family name. This clearly indicates the deepening signs of institutional weakness within the Civil Contract Party, which claims not to believe in “isms.” The party is unable to reproduce its authority and influence at the local level—at least in the cities.

There is no room for disappointment or despair—only persistent and consistent work. Bravo to the opposition for acting smartly. More must be done. Victories are forged by learning lessons from stumbles and failures. The ruling regime is ideologically bankrupt, easily breakable by nature, resource-rich but repressive. The will of the nation does not kneel before any machine of oppression.

Stay strong!”