Pashinyan and Khachaturyan Discuss Future Governance During Formation of New Government
On August 2, Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, signed the resignation of the Government in accordance with Article 158 of the Constitution following the start of the first session of the ninth convocation of the National Assembly. Pashinyan stated that the resignation letter was addressed to the President of the Republic, requesting the acceptance of the Government’s resignation. He explained that, according to constitutional procedures, the Cabinet members would continue carrying out their duties until the formation of a new Government. "Today, now this letter will be sent to the President of the Republic and the President, in accordance with the Constitution, will accept the Government’s resignation," Pashinyan stated. He added that, under Article 149 of the Constitution, the President must appoint the Prime Minister after the newly elected National Assembly begins its term based on the candidate nominated by the parliamentary majority. Pashinyan noted that the “Civil Contract” parliamentary majority would present the candidate for Prime Minister, after which the appointment process would proceed.
Later on the same day, Vahagn Khachaturyan, the President of the Republic of Armenia, hosted Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the Presidential Palace. During the ceremony, Khachaturyan signed a decree appointing Pashinyan as Prime Minister based on the proposal submitted by the “Civil Contract” faction of the National Assembly. Khachaturyan congratulated Pashinyan on his appointment and wished him patience, determination, and strength in leading the country through challenging times. He emphasized that the Prime Minister’s efforts should contribute to strengthening Armenia’s statehood, sovereignty, and constitutional principles, as well as ensuring a peaceful and dignified future for the Armenian people. "I sincerely congratulate you, I wish you great patience, endurance, and determination to lead us in these difficult times, to lead the country to a future, a prosperous future," Khachaturyan stated.
In response, Pashinyan thanked the President for the invitation, the signing of the decree, and the support provided throughout his tenure. He reflected on his first appointment as Prime Minister in 2018 following the Velvet Revolution, saying that the country had gone through a difficult path that would have been difficult to predict at the time. Pashinyan emphasized that the main role in overcoming those challenges belonged to the citizens of Armenia, who, according to him, demonstrated a strong sense of state responsibility. He added that the newly formed Cabinet would soon take an oath and reaffirm its commitments to the people. The Prime Minister also expressed hope that the ninth convocation of the National Assembly would become a platform for political debates focused on ideas, programs, and visions rather than personal conflicts. "I hope that the 9th convocation National Assembly will eventually become a platform that will be an environment for the clash of political ideas, thoughts, visions, and not individuals," Pashinyan stated. He noted that political disagreements should remain focused on political, economic, and social issues rather than personal attacks. Pashinyan also thanked Khachaturyan for his cooperation and support, emphasizing that their working relationship had involved close dialogue on various state matters.
Khachaturyan, in turn, highlighted the importance of trust between the Government, the President’s Office, and the National Assembly. He stated that cooperation among state institutions was essential for strengthening Armenia’s sovereignty and future development. The President also stressed the importance of both the ruling majority and the opposition in a democratic system, saying that the country’s stability depends not only on those in power but also on a responsible and effective opposition. "The more the society needs a qualified political majority in democratic countries, the more importance the opposition has and the more important its role is," Khachaturyan stated.
On August 2, Vahagn Khachaturyan delivered a speech during the opening session of the ninth convocation of the National Assembly, congratulating newly elected deputies and emphasizing the importance of democratic institutions, responsible governance, and political dialogue. Khachaturyan stated that the newly formed parliament represents the free expression of the will of Armenian citizens and marks another important stage in the country’s state development. He thanked the deputies of the eighth convocation for their legislative work and expressed special appreciation to citizens for their participation in the elections and their contribution to strengthening democratic processes. "The new National Assembly, formed by the free will of the people of the Republic of Armenia, begins its work. This is another important milestone in our state life, which reaffirms the fundamental principle of democracy: power emanates from the people and is exercised through their elected representatives," Khachaturyan stated.
The President congratulated the political force that secured the parliamentary majority, as well as all parties that entered the National Assembly. He emphasized that each convocation of parliament shapes not only the political agenda of its period but also the institutional culture of the state. Khachaturyan noted that the success of the ninth convocation should not be measured only by the number of adopted laws, but also by their quality, social impact, and contribution to Armenia’s long-term development. He called on deputies to ensure that parliamentary discussions are based on state interests rather than political confrontation. "The National Assembly is the highest representative and legislative body of the country. It is the number one political rostrum of the state, where the competition of ideas should turn into state solutions, political disagreements into better decisions, and public trust into fair and viable laws," the President emphasized.
He stressed that democracy does not require uniformity of opinions, but rather the ability to maintain respectful and responsible cooperation among different political forces. According to Khachaturyan, political debates should serve the public interest and contribute to more effective governance, stronger legislation, and state development. The President also highlighted the responsibility of parliamentarians, stating that deputies must make decisions based on conscience, professional judgment, and the long-term interests of the country rather than temporary political considerations. Khachaturyan emphasized the need for a political culture where disagreements do not lead to intolerance and where different viewpoints compete through constructive proposals. He stated that the ruling Civil Contract Party carries a significant responsibility due to the trust placed in it by voters. "The strength of a political majority is measured not only by its powers, but also by the depth of its responsibility," Khachaturyan stated.
He also underlined the important role of the opposition in a democratic system, noting that professional criticism, oversight, and alternative proposals contribute to improving governance and strengthening state institutions. According to him, both the government and opposition ultimately serve the same goal — the progress and prosperity of the Republic of Armenia. Khachaturyan concluded by stating that each National Assembly leaves a unique legacy shaped not only by legislation but also by the political culture and level of responsibility demonstrated by its members. He expressed hope that the ninth convocation would be remembered as a parliament where political competition remained within the limits of state responsibility, ideological differences did not prevent cooperation on issues of national importance, and the interests of Armenia and its citizens guided every decision. He added that all political forces should work toward a common goal of building a strong and resilient Republic of Armenia.