Pashinyan’s Party Promises New Catholicos by 2031, Puts Church Leadership at Center of Election Agenda

Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party has made a major and controversial promise to voters ahead of upcoming elections, saying that by 2031 the country will have a new Catholicos. The pledge is included in the party’s pre-election program, placing the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church alongside major state development projects as part of its political agenda.

The program outlines several national goals, including the TRIPP project, the creation of an academic city, the construction of the Ajapnyak metro station, and the development of biogas production. Alongside these plans, it also includes a clear political objective: the “removal of the de facto head of the Armenian Apostolic Church.”

This is a new stage in what has already been a nearly year-long effort by the ruling team to challenge the current Catholicos. What began as political criticism has now become an official campaign promise, signaling that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his party are presenting church reform as part of their broader vision for Armenia’s future.

Senior officials from the ruling party have strongly defended this position. National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan openly accused the Catholicos of posing a threat to the country’s security.

“Ktrij Nersisyan is a threat to the security of the Republic of Armenia. It would be good if other parties also included in their programs the removal and cleansing of Ktrij Nersisyan and those people who discredit the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church; this would bring great benefit to our state and our statehood,” said National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan.

According to the ruling party, the issue is not only about religious leadership but also about national security. The program claims that external forces are attempting to use the Church as a platform for hybrid warfare against Armenia’s independence and sovereignty. Government representatives argue that their actions are aimed at protecting the state and restoring constitutional order.

At the same time, critics warn that such promises risk crossing legal and constitutional boundaries. Legal expert Anna Melikyan from the NGO “Protection of Rights Without Borders” said that including the removal of the Catholicos in a political program raises serious concerns.

“This is not only interference in the affairs of a religious organization, but also proselytism,” says an expert.

She stressed that Armenia’s Constitution clearly separates the state from the Church and does not allow government authorities to interfere in religious institutions.

“Our Constitution and relevant legislation clearly state that the state is separate from the Church, which means that the state, especially the government and executive branch, must not interfere in the autonomy of any church or religious organization,” Melikyan said.

Melikyan also explained that if there are accusations against individuals within the Church, there are already legal mechanisms to address them.

“If such data exists, we have appropriate criminal and procedural mechanisms, meaning tools within which charges can be brought and appropriate steps taken if any individual commits actions prohibited by our legislation,” said Anna Melikyan.

Despite claims by the ruling party that believers have become alienated from the Church due to its leadership, official data does not show a decline in faith. According to Armenia’s Statistical Committee, 95.2 percent of the population—2,793,042 people—identify as followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Experts warn that by including church reform in its election program, the ruling party may later present electoral victory as a public mandate to carry out changes within the Church. This raises concerns about possible legislative steps that could limit the Church’s autonomy in the future.

The plan described by the ruling party follows a sequence previously outlined by Prime Minister Pashinyan: the current Catholicos would resign, a temporary leader would be appointed, a new charter would be adopted, and then a new Catholicos would be elected.

Government officials insist that these steps do not violate the Constitution. They argue that individuals should not be confused with institutions and that their goal is to separate the Church from politics, not interfere in religion itself.

“We are not violating the Constitution, because you are again equating individuals with the institution. Alen Simonyan is not the National Assembly, and Ktrij Nersisyan is not the 1,700-year-old Armenian Apostolic Church,” Simonyan emphasized.

However, critics strongly disagree, especially regarding plans to introduce a new charter for the Church. Melikyan pointed to rulings by the European Court of Human Rights, which have emphasized the importance of state neutrality in religious matters.

“The government has no right to change the charter or alter any issues related to internal life or structure as an authority. The European Court of Human Rights has clearly expressed in cases against Bulgaria, Moldova, and other member states that the state must maintain neutrality,” said Anna Melikyan.

She also raised concerns about the involvement of state institutions in church-related matters, suggesting that the use of official powers indicates direct interference.

“The actions are carried out in an official capacity, documents are signed as Prime Minister, meetings are convened. When police or National Security Service officers are involved, it becomes clear that the state apparatus is being used to resolve internal church issues or push a preferred outcome. This is indeed interference in the autonomy of the Church or a religious organization,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Catholicos himself has responded with calls for unity and moral values rather than direct political confrontation. Speaking during the Easter liturgy, he urged Armenians to focus on reconciliation and shared principles.

“Let us choose good over evil,” says the Catholicos.

“Let us choose good over evil, reconciliation over discord, honesty and integrity over falsehood and deceit, mutual respect and support over dishonor and betrayal,” declared the Catholicos of All Armenians during the Easter liturgy.

He also spoke about the ongoing impact of the Artsakh war and broader national challenges.

“Even years after the tragic Artsakh war, our pain and wounds remain fresh, and this pain deepens with the violation of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh and the unlawful detention of our compatriots,” he said.

“The pain deepens when division continues to be sown, when sacred values are ignored and distorted, when arbitrary and selective justice is applied, and when repression is carried out against the Church by the authorities based on false and fabricated accusations. The Church is steadfast, strong, and unshakable in Christ,” the Catholicos stated.

Tensions between the state and the Church have become increasingly visible. The Mother See has confirmed that lawyers have been actively involved in defending the Church’s independence, indicating that legal battles may continue.

At the same time, the country’s leadership has continued to participate in major religious events. Prime Minister Pashinyan attended Easter celebrations at Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan, where Bishop Anushavan Zhamkochyan led the liturgy.

However, even this spiritual moment reflected the deep divisions within society. During the proclamation of Christ’s Resurrection, a woman shouted from the crowd:

“Shame on you, traitor to the Lord,” a woman shouted loudly during the proclamation of the Resurrection.

As Armenia approaches elections, the issue of church leadership has become a central political topic. What was once a religious matter is now part of campaign messaging, with the ruling party presenting it as a promise of reform, while critics warn it could challenge the balance between state authority and religious independence.

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