The Assembly regrets the excessive polarisation and stigmatisation of political opponents by all sides in Armenia

Armenia: the Assembly regrets the excessive polarisation and stigmatisation of political opponents by all sides in Armenia. It is deeply concerned by the tensions between the Prime Minister and the head of the Armenian Church, and by the reports of plots to usurp power by several clergymen belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church. While reiterating that three consecutive elections have been free of irregularities since 2018, the Assembly reiterates the need to implement regulations on the misuse of public resources and the financing of political parties. Ahead of the June 2026 general elections, the Assembly calls for an improvement in relations between the political majority and the opposition, in order to ensure that the election campaign is issue- and policy-driven, and free from personal attacks between election contestants. In this context, the Assembly refers to the recommendation of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) that “elected bodies and political parties should adopt appropriate codes of conduct that prohibit the use of hate speech, call on their members and followers to abstain from engaging in, endorsing or disseminating it, and provide for sanctions”. The Assembly takes note of the current Prime Minister's intention to organise a constitutional referendum after the 2026 general elections;