Armenia’s municipal elections: 'Сatholicos fails to secure vote of confidence in Etchmiadzin'
Ruling party wins Vagharshapat elections
Armenians are actively discussing the results of the municipal elections in the enlarged community of Vagharshapat, which also includes the city of Etchmiadzin. This city serves as the spiritual capital of Armenia and hosts the Mother See, the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Preliminary results show that the ruling Civil Contract party won by a wide margin. This victory allows the party to form the council of elders on its own, and its candidate, Argishti Mehakyan, will lead the community.
Authorities viewed this win as particularly significant amid a confrontation with the senior clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. For several months, the Prime Minister of Armenia has openly accused the Catholicos of violating his vow of celibacy and has demanded his removal from office. At the same time, high-ranking clerics ended up in prison. Officials accuse them of plotting a coup, issuing public calls to seize power, and coercing participation in pre-election campaigns.
Before the vote count, the entire country watched anxiously for the announcement of preliminary results. Some experts predicted a possible repeat of scenarios in Gyumri and Parakar, where the opposition had won. However, those forecasts did not materialize.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the elections in Vagharshapat as a “resounding prelude” to the nationwide elections in 2026.
“You have given a significant boost to the process of freeing our holy site — the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin — from Ktrich Nersisyan [the Catholicos’ secular name],” Pashinyan said.
Political analyst Lilit Dallakyan argued that the municipal elections in Etchmiadzin showed that the population does not support the Catholicos of All Armenians. “I proposed holding a confidence referendum. We can say that, at least in this city, Garegin II did not secure a vote of confidence,” she added.
According to preliminary data released by the Central Election Commission, the Civil Contract party received 48.51% of the votes cast by participating citizens. Officials will announce the final results on Sunday. The ruling party is expected to secure 19 seats in the council of elders.
On the Vagharshapat elections: views from the ruling party’s candidate, statements from the Prime Minister, reactions from the church, and analysis from a political analyst.
- Armenian clerics detained following priest’s interview
- Tensions between Armenian authorities and Church: Pashinyan’s plan to remove Catholicos
- Archbishop’s diary and attempted coup in Armenia
Pashinyan congratulated voters
ПрThe Prime Minister congratulated the voters of Vagharshapat on holding “democratic elections.” According to Pashinyan, by electing Argishti Mehakyan as the head of the community, they:
- demonstrated “steadfast support” for the ruling party’s strategy to strengthen the statehood, independence, sovereignty, and freedom of the Republic of Armenia;
- gave a significant boost to the process of freeing the Mother See of Etchmiadzin from the Catholicos;
- acknowledged the work carried out by the ruling party in the community.
“I congratulate all citizens of the Republic of Armenia on this resounding prelude ahead of the nationwide elections in 2026. The people of Armenia will triumph in the 2026 parliamentary elections,” he said.
‘In my agenda, this issue was not included’ – Mehakyan on the removal of the Catholicos
After the elections, journalists asked Argishti Mehakyan whether he shared Pashinyan’s position on “purging the church.” He gave a cautious response:
“I will address this issue later if the need arises. This topic was not part of my election agenda, and I did not consider it necessary to raise it. It is not on my agenda now either. We need to finalise the election results and form the local authorities.”
During the campaign, Mehakyan also avoided answering questions about removing Garegin II from the throne.
“I avoid this question. I do not want to enter a cycle that will lead us nowhere. Right now, I am focused on what I need to do,” he said.
‘Election results are not a reason to interfere in the church’s autonomy,’ says member of the spiritual council
Gevorg Danielyan, a member of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, commented on the Prime Minister’s statement, stressing that election results cannot be considered “a reason to interfere in the church’s autonomy.”
In an interview with the Armenian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, he reminded that more than 500 delegates participate in the Catholicos’ election. These include both clergy and laypeople representing Armenia and the diaspora.
“Any result, whether from community-level or nationwide elections, regardless of the methods used to achieve it, cannot fundamentally be regarded as a direct factor connected to a campaign against the autonomy of the Armenian Church. It cannot serve as a justification for state interference in the autonomy of a religious organisation through the involvement of law enforcement,” Danielyan said.
Expert commentary
Political analyst Lilit Dallakyan, speaking to a local publication about the significance of the election victory for the ruling party, said:
“We are aware of the tensions between the Catholicos of All Armenians and Pashinyan. The population of the city [Etchmiadzin], in essence, does not support Garegin II. I suggested holding a confidence referendum. We can say that, at least in this city, Garegin II suffered a defeat in a vote of confidence.
The candidate from the ruling party adopted a cautious strategy. He does not make statements against the Catholicos; he refers to him respectfully as the Catholicos, and as Garegin II. [Pashinyan and his team only use his secular name.] This contrasts with other candidates who believed that insulting the Catholicos would win them votes. In fact, that approach caused their defeat.
Nikol Pashinyan has also shown restraint. Recall that he had planned to go to Etchmiadzin and “take control” of it. [The Prime Minister spoke of holding a major action in Etchmiadzin.] It seems he realized that such a policy was a mistake and could trigger events similar to those on 1 March 2008 [when security forces used live ammunition against protesters, killing eight people]. This time, such escalation could arise from the opposition, given that they are armed. Clearly, the opposition has such leverage.
I believe Pashinyan will not take any steps against Garegin II for now, considering Putin’s role and the medals [received by the Catholicos and his brother, Archbishop Ezras]. I am convinced that this was a signal. Putin does not award medals lightly. By doing so, he shows that it is possible to “target” other high-ranking clergy, but Garegin II must remain in his position. Whether Nikol Pashinyan is ready to confront Putin is something only he knows. For now, I see no actions against Garegin II.
He is delegitimizing the Catholicos. From Pashinyan’s perspective, this is the correct approach. He believes one should not act against him directly, but rather show that the broad masses of the population do not support their spiritual leader.”
Ruling party wins Vagharshapat elections
