Pashinyan Scapegoats Elections: Internal Strategies Ahead of Armenian Vote
Ahead of the upcoming elections, Pashinyan scapegoats elections strategy is reportedly being implemented within his team. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is preparing to use administrative resources and internal scapegoats to maintain control over his government and manage political challenges, according to political analyst Hakob Badalyan.
“Given the current ratings of Pashinyan and the ruling authorities, commentary is almost unnecessary,” Badalyan said. Both administrative tools and coercive measures are crucial, not only to prevent political defeat during the elections but also to avoid internal instability within the administration.
“The use of coercive measures is not solely aimed at the opposition. In my opinion, Pashinyan scapegoats elections strategy also serves to control internal dynamics and demonstrate that he remains in charge,” he added.
Badalyan noted that rating problems may require sacrificial strategies, where certain officials act as “scapegoats” through symbolic punishments to generate public effect. “This approach increases unease within the government and intensifies pre-election competition,” he explained.
Managing these internal and political challenges is a key task for Pashinyan. “In situations like this, authorities must also consider exit strategies. Failure to plan such measures is a serious mistake for both the government and the state. Relying on the logic of ‘there is no game against us’ can never be effective. The question is when this logic will fail—months, years, or decades—and that is beyond Pashinyan’s control,” Badalyan concluded.