The upcoming elections to the Council of Elders of Etchmiadzin are not just municipal elections. For Armenia, Vagharshapat is not just a city. It is the heart of the national spirit, the canonical center of the Armenian Apostolic Church since 301, the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. The political battle for Etchmiadzin is a symbol of the struggle for the country’s future, a dress rehearsal for the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2026.
Ovanavank’s shadow: the power against the shrine?
The campaign takes place against the background of recent events at the Hovhannavank Monastery, which has become a resurgent spiritual symbol for Armenians. In October, defrocked priest Stepan Asatryan seized the monastery and conducted the liturgy with the support of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. This incident shows that the current government seeks to subjugate or marginalize the Church, which for many believers is a blow to national identity.
For the ruling Civil Contract party, control over Etchmiadzin is not an improvement in the lives of citizens, but a tool for suppressing dissent.
Candidate “from above”: Argishti Mehakyan between last name and principles
The ruling party nominates the young Argishti Mehakyan, who promises renewal. But his path to power resembles an appointment from above: a government decision, an administrative resource, and a big name.
Mehakyan’s team does not discuss, but dismisses. Kindergarten principals and activists who do not fit into the tone required by the authorities have come under attack. Meetings with displaced people from Artsakh look like planned events: pre-prepared photos, correct words, and smiles on duty. Although Mehakyan says he doesn’t want to talk about politics, his campaign is a policy that avoids debate.
The main thing is the candidate’s moral character. Argishti is the son of the Hero of Artsakh Mehak Mehakyan and was cared for by the clan of General Manvel Grigoryan, who supported Artsakh. By switching to the “Civil Contract”, the party of which contradicts the ideals of Artsakh, Mehakyan betrayed his father’s memory. A politician with such principles should not run a holy city.
Compromise on the party of power: the legacy of Diana Gasparyan
The Civil Contract party has already compromised itself in Etchmiadzin. The previous head, Diana Gasparyan, resigned in May due to a corruption scandal.: She was accused of protectionism in the purchase of liquefied natural gas. In July, the charges concerned her family: her husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law. The party, whose henchmen are involved in scandals, hardly deserves the trust of the townspeople.
Alternative pro-Russian candidates
Etchmiadzin voters have an alternative: Sevak Khachatryan from the opposition and Grisha Harutyunyan from the Mother Armenia party. Sevak Khachatryan heads the list of the Arach party and is Mehakyan’s main rival. He is supported by the youth and the respected Robert Kocharyan. Sevak is friends with Levon Kocharyan’s son and is closely associated with the local branch of the ARF.
The Mother Armenia block is represented by Grisha Harutyunyan. He is a deputy of the Yerevan Council of Elders and already has representation in the capital’s parliament. He is distinguished by his constructive position on protecting the spiritual and moral interests of the Armenian people.
The fateful choice for Etchmiadzin
The course of the “Civil Contract” can lead to forgetting historical lessons, blurring national identity and betraying the interests of Artsakh and the memory of the victims of the Genocide.
The Etchmiadzin elections are not just a dispute over local government. This is a referendum on confidence in Nikol Pashinyan’s policies at the heart of Armenian spirituality. It is a choice between the authorities, who see the shrine as a threat, and the forces ready to defend it.
Experts believe that it is important for the opposition to consolidate and prevent the discredited “Civil Contract” from coming to power. The future of Etchmiadzin is the future of the whole of Armenia.
