Armenia approves new government as Pashinyan promises appointments based on merit
Armenia approves new government
Alongside the opening of Armenia‘s 9th parliamentary term, the country formed a new government. In line with the constitution, Nikol Pashinyan took office as prime minister. He headed the electoral list of the Civil Contract party, which won a parliamentary majority. The party submitted the required nomination documents for its leader to President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who then signed a decree appointing Pashinyan as prime minister.
Накануне, по предложению премьер-министра Пашиняна и указом президента Ваагна Хачатуряна, вице-премьеры Мгер Григорян и Тигран Хачатрян были переназначены на свои должности. Переназначены и большинство министров.
Изменения произошли в аппарате премьер-министра. Бывший главный советник премьер-министра и бывший посол Армении в США Лилит Макунц возглавила аппарат премьера. До нее занимавший этот пост Араик Арутюнян со 2 августа приступил к депутатской деятельности в составе правящей фракции.
Вместе с тем, Никол Пашинян с утра объявил о решении назначить на высокие должности в правительстве выпускников ведущих вузов мира, прошедших отбор в банк кадров правительства.
«В ближайшее время вы увидите де-юре реализацию этих решений», — подчеркнул премьер.
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Almost all ministers kept their portfolios
At Prime Minister Pashinyan’s recommendation, the following ministers retained their posts:
- Defence – Suren Papikyan,
- Internal Affairs – Arpine Sargsyan,
- Foreign Affairs – Ararat Mirzoyan,
- Territorial Administration and Infrastructure – David Khudatyan,
- Environment – Hambardzum Matevosyan,
- Health – Anahit Avanesyan,
- Education, Science, Culture and Sport – Zhanna Andreasyan,
- Justice – Srbuhi Galyan,
- Labour and Social Affairs – Arsen Torosyan,
- Economy – Gevorg Papoyan,
- Finance – Vahe Hovhannisyan.
Only High-Tech Industry Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan did not keep his post. Pashinyan had previously said that Hayrapetyan himself had decided to step down.
David Tadevosyan replaced him. The prime minister introduced the new minister to ministry staff today. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan also attended the meeting. He said he would remain available around the clock if the new minister or his team needed advice.
“I am ready to contribute my modest knowledge and experience whenever you feel the need,” the former minister said.
David Tadevosyan graduated from the National Polytechnic University of Armenia. Between 2012 and 2014, he studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a Master of Science in Engineering and Management.
Before taking up the ministerial post, Tadevosyan served as acting director of International Radio Network CJSC. Between 2024 and 2025, he headed Afeyan Initiatives for Armenia, an organisation founded by Armenian-American businessman, scientist and philanthropist Noubar Afeyan. Earlier in his career, Tadevosyan worked for the mining company Vallex Group, the Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Technologies, and SberSpinoff.
More than 1,000 applications for the government’s talent pool
On 15 June, shortly after his Civil Contract party won the 2026 parliamentary elections, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan invited graduates of the world’s leading universities to join the government. He encouraged them to put their knowledge and professional experience to work in public administration.
Today, the prime minister said the initiative had attracted strong interest, with the government receiving 1,141 applications.
“Following the initial screening, 459 candidates – around 40% of all applicants – advanced to the second stage. The average age of the candidates is 34,” Pashinyan said.
The prime minister announced that the government would create a talent pool based on interview results and professional assessments. Officials will match the selected candidates’ education, work experience and professional skills with the specific needs of the public administration system.
He added that candidates included in the talent pool could receive offers for positions in the public sector or other forms of cooperation during the course of this year.
Armenia approves new government
