Parties in Armenia must comply with democratic and transparent rules – Pashinyan

During a Q&A session with Cabinet members in parliament, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that full transparency in the activities of political parties is essential for the development of Armenia’s political system.

Pashinyan noted that in the case of the ruling party, transparency is sometimes used against them. "This is the case when democracy is being used against democracy," he said, adding that the governing bodies of many parties are formed through non-transparent processes.

"We are a democratic country, so parties must also comply with the rules of democracy and transparency. This may also raise the question of whether a party can or cannot participate in elections," the Prime Minister stated.

He stressed that Armenia should work closely with international organizations on the matter. "We need to consult with the Council of Europe, the Venice Commission and try to apply the best practices that exist in the world. If there is no such experience, then let’s share our own. This is a fairly mature issue," Pashinyan concluded.