Pashinyan hails Vagharshapat vote as ‘resounding prelude’ to 2026 elections, with Civil Contract garnering most ballots

Prime Minister of Armenia and chairman of the Civil Contract Party board, Nikol Pashinyan, commented on the City Council elections held in Vagharshapat, also known as Etchmiadzin, where preliminary results show that the Civil Contract Party has won and will be able to secure a majority in the city council.

“Dear voters of the community of Vagharshapat, I bow to all of you and congratulate you—first and foremost—on the occasion of democratic elections,” the Prime Minister said in a post on Facebook.

“With your choice, you made several important affirmations: You elected Argishti Mekhakyan, the Civil Contract Party’s candidate, as mayor, reaffirming that a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Republic of Armenia is the best way to honor the memory of our martyrs—the greatest tribute to them. You expressed unequivocal support for the Civil Contract Party’s strategy to strengthen our statehood, independence, sovereignty, and freedom.”

Pashinyan also said that the voters boosted the process of “liberating” the Armenian Church from Catholicos Karekin II, referring to him by his secular name, Ktrich Nersisyan, thus reaffirming his accusation that the Church leader is holding office illegitimately.

“With your vote, you gave important momentum to the process of liberating our sanctum—the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin—from Ktrich Nersisyan. You appreciated the work that Civil Contract has carried out in your community in the previous period and showed understanding for the mistakes that were made. I want to ask forgiveness from all of you for those mistakes,” the Prime Minister said.

I congratulate Argishti Mekhakyan on being elected head of the community of Vagharshapat, and I congratulate the residents of Vagharshapat on choosing Mekhakyan—modest, yet someone who has proven his effectiveness as a manager.
I congratulate all my colleagues in the Civil Contract Party, and I congratulate all citizens of the Republic of Armenia on this resounding prelude to the 2026 general elections.
The people of the Republic of Armenia will win the 2026 parliamentary elections,” he added.