Vahe Hovhannisyan: 2026 parliamentary elections are a choice for  Armenians between a possibility of living and not living on their own  land

ArmInfo.  Opponents of the current Armenian government must conduct extensive voter education ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, and convey to voters that this is not a choice between one candidate or another, but a matter of the continued existence of the Republic of Armenia on the world map, as  stated by Vahe Hovhannisyan, political scientist and co-founder of the Alternative Projects Group,   during  a discussion on the "Long- Term Consequences of the Upcoming  Elections." 

The expert is confident that a choice must be made today, as the  results of these electoral processes will determine what will be  conditionally written on the map-Armenia's "Sevan" or Azerbaijan's  "Geycha." He also dismissed the notion that the upcoming elections  pose only foreign policy risks as a mistake, expressing his  conviction that they primarily concern Armenia's domestic processes.   "It is extremely important to understand this. It is necessary to  ensure that citizens clearly understand the consequences of their  choice when voting," the political scientist believes. Hovhannisyan  regretfully noted that many citizens in Armenia are not yet  considering the consequences, and that their choice will determine  their way of life in Armenia.

At the same time, the expert acknowledged that during these electoral  processes, one must be prepared for the current Armenian authorities  to resort to every possible manipulation to secure popular support  and ensure their own survival. According to him, one compelling  argument will be that their reproduction "guarantees peace," while if  other forces win, there will be "war." He noted that the authorities  have been particularly manipulating this after the Washington Accords  of August 8.

"An important task today is to convey to voters the simple reality:  Armenia is now beyond war and beyond peace. And the main task of the  next government will be to competently manage this situation in the  interests of the Armenian people." Therefore, voters need to be  explained that the reproduction of the current government will lead  to new concessions," Hovhannisyan added.  In this regard, he pointed  out  that the constant concessions by the Armenian authorities do not  soften Azerbaijan's rhetoric, but, on the contrary, only lead to its  hardening. He noted that after August 8, even the strategic  calculations of the Azerbaijani authorities have not changed.

Regarding grain supplies through Azerbaijani territory, Hovhannisyan  suggested that in the near future, the Azerbaijani leadership will  begin to use this route as another lever of pressure on Armenia to  advance its interests regarding the route through Syunik. As support  for his assumptions, he pointed to the recent harshening of rhetoric  among Azerbaijani parliamentarians regarding the so-called corridor  through Syunik, with threats to seize it by force. Thus, the  political scientist expressed the conviction that, if necessary,  Azerbaijan would easily abandon the Trump route and other road  formats if faced with further inaction of Armenian authorities. "In  this sense, it's important to explain to voters that their choice  will also affect Azerbaijan's behavior. Therefore, before the  elections, it's important to conduct extensive work and explain to  voters that these elections concern Armenia's existence and, in  general, the ability of Armenians to live on their own land,"  Hovhannisyan concluded.