TOPIC OF THE WEEK: Armenia—Pashinyan picks a fight he can't win

CAUCASUS / CENTRAL ASIA - Report 06 Jun 2025 by Ivan Tchakarov

One can't deny that PM Pashinyan has shown remarkable political agility since coming to power in 2018. He faced many adversities during that period, including two lost wars, but he survived those challenges as a genuinely smooth operator. However, the latest fight he has picked—with the Armenian Apostolic Church—will be hard to win. His attacks on the Church, including claims of violations of the celibacy vow, appear premeditated.

While there are views that these attacks are isolated instances of public disagreement with certain aspects of church life, I see the conflict between Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church as representing more a political dispute, an attempt to discredit the most respected institution in the country for its views on issues that run against the current political and geopolitical agenda of the PM.

However, the use of unprecedented language and unsubstantiated accusations has crossed traditional red lines, potentially creating lasting damage to Armenia's social fabric. The conflict touches on fundamental questions of Armenian identity, church-state relations, and national unity. The Church's characterization of this as a threat to Armenian statehood reflects the gravity of the situation, particularly given Armenia's precarious geopolitical position. Whether this battle can be resolved through dialogue or will continue to escalate remains a critical question for Armenia's political stability and national cohesion.

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