Armenia’s 2026 Election: Meet the Faces, Parties, and Power Players Running in the High-Stakes Parliamentary Race

Armenia is heading into one of its most important elections in recent years, with voters set to decide whether Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will remain in power or whether the country will move in a different political direction. As political parties and alliances officially enter the June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections, the race is bringing together Armenia’s current leadership, familiar opposition figures, businessmen, former officials, and newly formed movements—all competing for seats in the National Assembly and influence over the country’s future.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will once again lead the ruling Civil Contract party, which won a strong majority in the 2021 snap elections with around 54% of the vote. The party plans to run independently again rather than forming an alliance. Pashinyan, who rose to power after the 2018 Velvet Revolution, is seeking a third term as Armenia’s leader. His years in office have been shaped by major national crises, including the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and the loss of Artsakh, developments that continue to deeply divide Armenian society.

One of the main opposition figures remains former president Robert Kocharyan, who will lead the Armenia Alliance. Kocharyan served as Armenia’s president from 1998 to 2008 and previously held leadership roles in Nagorno-Karabakh. His alliance includes the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the “Ahead” party led by Sevak Khachatryan. Kocharyan’s presidency remains controversial and closely tied to major moments in Armenia’s modern history, including the 1999 parliament attack and the deadly March 1 unrest following disputed elections in 2008. He is also widely known as the father-in-law of Armenian singer Sirusho.

Businessman Gagik Tsarukyan is also returning to the political arena with the Prosperous Armenia Party after the party failed to cross the electoral threshold in the previous election. Tsarukyan has said he is not personally seeking the role of prime minister and claims the party has several possible candidates in mind, though none have been publicly announced. Outside politics, he is also known for major business and construction projects, including the massive Jesus Christ statue currently being built in Armenia.

The Armenian National Congress, historically associated with Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan, is expected to participate under the leadership of Levon Zurabyan. The party has struggled in recent elections and failed to enter parliament in both 2017 and 2021.

Another familiar figure returning to the race is Edmon Marukyan, leader of Bright Armenia. Marukyan was once politically aligned with Pashinyan through the former “Way Out” alliance before eventually becoming one of the government’s critics. He later served as Armenia’s Ambassador-at-Large before leaving the role in 2024 and publicly criticizing the current administration.

Former Yerevan mayor Hayk Marutyan is also entering the elections with his New Force party. Before politics, Marutyan became well known in Armenia as a comedian and actor through television and satire projects. He was elected mayor after the 2018 revolution but later lost his position following disagreements with the ruling party. He is now attempting a political comeback and will serve as his party’s candidate for prime minister.

Businessman Samvel Karapetyan, founder of the Tashir Group, is entering politics through the Strong Armenia alliance. However, his political ambitions face legal complications because Armenia’s Constitution bars dual citizens from serving in parliament or becoming prime minister. Despite this, the alliance says it would seek constitutional changes if it comes to power. The alliance’s electoral list will instead be headed by his nephew, Narek Karapetyan.

The Strong Armenia alliance has continued expanding by bringing together several political groups, including Mane Tandilyan’s “Country to Live” party, the newly formed “New Era” party, and the “United Armenians” party. Additional support has also come from Hrant Bagratyan’s “Freedom” party and Raffi Hovhannisyan’s “Heritage” party, broadening the bloc’s political base ahead of the vote.

Former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan also remains an influential public figure ahead of the elections. Tatoyan served as Armenia’s Ombudsman from 2016 to 2022 after being elected by parliament during the rule of the former Republican Party government. Over the years, he has also built strong support and influence within the Armenian diaspora, particularly through his advocacy on issues related to human rights, border security, and Artsakh.

Aram Sargsyan, leader of the Republic Party and brother of former Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan, who was killed during the 1999 parliament attack, has also confirmed that his party will participate independently. Meanwhile, Arman Babajanyan’s “For the Republic” party says it will focus on reshaping Armenia’s opposition landscape rather than putting forward its own candidate for prime minister.

A newly formed movement called “Against Everyone” is attempting to attract voters frustrated with Armenia’s entire political establishment. The party says it wants to create a temporary 100-day transitional government that would carry out reforms before organizing new elections. However, the group has not yet announced who would serve as its candidate for prime minister.

Other parties joining the race include the Reformists party led by Vagharshak Harutyunyan and Meritocratic Party of Armenia led by Gurgen Simonyan.

Meanwhile, Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission rejected the candidacy of Vardan Ghukasyan from the DOK “Democracy, Law, Discipline” party because of missing documents, although the party itself will still participate in the election.

At the same time, some major political players will stay out of the race entirely. The Republican Party of Armenia, led by former president Serzh Sargsyan, announced that it will not participate and will instead encourage supporters to back other opposition forces.

Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission has officially registered 19 political forces for the June 7 parliamentary elections. Around 2.5 million eligible voters are expected to take part in a vote that many see as a defining moment for the country’s political future.

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