The 2026 parliamentary elections may become not just a regular vote, but a moment of deep political transformation for Armenia. This view was expressed by international affairs expert Grigor Balasanyan. According to him, signs of stagnation within the ruling force are already evident, and as the elections approach, extraordinary developments cannot be ruled out.
A Government Detached from Reality
Balasanyan notes that several representatives of the ruling party have clearly lost touch with reality. In his assessment, the authorities appear to be repeating the mistakes of previous elites, convinced that they will remain in power for many years without change.
He recalls that Armenia has already experienced a period when it seemed certain that the government would not change until the 2030s. Confident declarations were made at the time, yet events unfolded in a very different way.
The Importance of Mass Civic Participation
The expert places special emphasis on broad public participation in elections. High voter turnout, he argues, would prevent the current authorities from forming an artificial majority through electoral technologies or reproducing power with the help of satellite parties.
He stresses that citizens should be directly encouraged to take part in the vote. A large number of participants, in his view, closes the door to manipulation.
Extraordinary Scenarios Cannot Be Ruled Out
At the same time, Balasanyan does not exclude unexpected scenarios in which political processes may not even reach the scheduled parliamentary elections.
He believes that public movements and internal political upheavals are possible, potentially leading not just to snap elections, but to the creation of a temporary crisis governance body. Such a structure would later be responsible for organizing elections.
The Issue of Constitutional Changes
According to Balasanyan, the fate of constitutional amendments will also depend on both domestic political developments and broader geopolitical shifts. He concludes that 2026 will not be a calm year, not only for Armenia, but for the world as a whole.
He suggests that the world may face new dividing lines based on spheres of influence during this period. Armenia’s position within these zones, he argues, will determine whether constitutional changes take place and how political processes evolve.