22.08.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Dashink (Alliance) party led by Samvel Babayan, who from 1993-99 commanded armed forces of unrecognised republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, confirmed on August 21 reports that it is set to merge with two other political groups ahead of presidential election due in early 2008 ("Three Parties To Merge In Opposition") [ID 21064]

Document(s): Open document

07.05.2007 - Source: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Guidebook on political parties participating in the National Assembly elections 2007; information on activities, program goals and objectives of parties ("Political parties of the republic of Armenia participating in the national assembly elections 2007; Voters Guidebook") [ID 19801]

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Registration requirements for all political parties, associations, and secular and religious organizations remained cumbersome, exacting, and time consuming ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20213]

"The constitution provides for freedom of association, and the government generally respected it in practice. However, registration requirements for all political parties, associations, and secular and religious organizations remained cumbersome, exacting, and time‑consuming. The law stipulates that citizens have the right to form associations, including political parties and trade unions, except for persons serving in the armed services and law enforcement agencies. As in previous years, no human rights groups or political organizations reported problems with registration, although the Heritage Party reported harassment of its members (see section 3)."

Document(s): Open document

08.08.2006 - Source:

Political parties and leaders [ID 15626]

"Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALYAN]; Armenia Party [Myasnik MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [Harutyun MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Levon MKRTCHYAN]; Democratic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, the People's Party, and the Republic Party) [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Revival Party [Albert BAZEYAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGHAMYAN, chairman]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Aram SARKISYAN, chairman]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARGARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Samvel BALASANYAN]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENYAN]"

Document(s): Open document

01.06.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Political parties represented in the national assembly [ID 15625]

"Political parties represented in the National Assembly: Republican Party of Armenia, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun, Country of Law (Orinats Yerkir), People's Party of Armenia, National Accord Party, Republic Party, and United Labor Party. Other significant parties include: National Democratic Union, Constitutional Rights Union, Social Democratic Hnchakian Party, Armenian National Movement, Liberal Democratic Ramkavar Party, Self Determination Union, Communist Party, and the Christian Democratic Party. In addition, there are dozens of other registered parties, many of which become active only during national campaigns."

Document(s): Open document

16.09.2003 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Armenia has a multiparty political with more than 40 registered political parties ("Background information; situation of ethnic minorities; groups possibly at risk: religious minorities, members of opposition, homosexuals, deserters") [#47207],  [ID 2876]

"143. According to the Armenian Constitution, Armenia has a multiparty political system, and there are more than 40 registered political parties in the country. The current government consists of a coalition of three of four winning parties of the 25 May 2003 parliamentary elections, namely the Republican Party of Armenia, the Orinats Yerkir Party, and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation–Dashnaktsutiun (Dashnak Party). In the new coalition government, the previous Prime Minister retained his post, as did most senior ministers, while the leadership of the National Assembly, Armenia's legislative body, has changed to reflect the results of the parliamentary elections. The OSCE Election Observation Mission reported on numerous irregularities, but concluded that, although falling short of international standards, the parliamentary elections were better conducted as compared to the Presidential elections. The referendum on the amendments to the Constitution adopted in 1995 was organized simultaneously with the parliamentary elections. However, the majority of the population rejected the amendments."

Document(s): Open document

18.02.2003 - Source: European Parliament

Political parties ("Informationen zur politischen und wirtschaftlichen Lage Armeniens und zu den Beziehungen zwischen der EU und Armenien") [#13877],  [ID 2878]

"2.4. Politische Parteien

Nach der Unabhängigkeit entstand eine Vielzahl politischer Parteien. Die wichtigsten sind die Republikanische Partei, die von Ministerpräsident Andranik Markarjan angeführt wird, die Volkspartei, die Armenisch-Revolutionäre Partei (Daschnak), die Kommunistische Partei Armeniens und die historische Nationale Armenische Bewegung (die wichtigste Partei während der Unabhängigkeit, die jedoch bei den letzten Wahlen weniger als 5 % der Stimmen errang und deshalb nicht mehr im Parlament vertreten ist). Nach dem Auseinanderbreichen der Koalition "Einheit" im Jahr 2002 wurde die Republikanische Partei zur beherrschenden politischen Kraft. Sie verfügt über die Mehrheit im Parlament und unterstützt die Initiativen von Präsident Kotscharjan."

Document(s): Open document

28.01.2003 - Source:

Armenialiberty (RFE/RL): New movement formed: Zharangutyun (Heritage) ("28.01.2003 - Armenialiberty (RFE/RL): Hovannisian Sets Up New ‘Movement’") [ID 2877]

"Former Foreign Minister Raffi Hovannisian and his supporters formed on Tuesday a political organization which they hope will give him the muscle to become a key player in Armenian politics.

The new “movement” named Zharangutyun (Heritage) is expected to throw its weight behind one of the opposition candidates in next month’s presidential elections. Hovannisian, who was controversially barred from running for president, claimed that the endorsement will have a “decisive” impact on the outcome of the vote.

“The nation needs a political force of a new quality. We are able to return to the people what they have lost in the last ten years,” he said in a speech at a conference hall packed with hundreds of supporters.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Hovannisian said Zharangutyun will decide within a week whether it should register as a political party or have the status of a civic organization that can not contest parliamentary elections. He said the group will also decide which presidential candidate deserves its support."

Document(s): 28.01.2003 - Armenialiberty (RFE/RL): Hovannisian Sets Up New ‘Movement’

28.11.2002 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

There are 94 political parties registered with the authorities ("8th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Vienna, 28 - 29 June 2002: Final Report - Armenia - co-funded by the EU Odysseus Programme") [#9877],  [ID 2879]

"The political alignments in Armenia are very confusing and difficult to understand. Certainly, the clear dichotomy between the ruling party or parties and the opposition, as suggested by the model of Western democracy, may not be applicable for Armenia. Of course, there is a president, pro-president parties, and pro-president politicians. Yet, people in certain parties also move their allegiances, depending on where the political gravity is, or sometimes depending on where the money is. There are 94 political parties registered with the authorities, but only parties with at least 20,000 members may participate in nationwide elections and are thus represented in the National Assembly. Within the National Assembly you have different factions and groups. The factions are formed by the deputies, who are elected in proportional representation, whereby candidates are listed on their respective party ballots and then win seats according to the proportion of votes for their parties. In addition, some seats are elected by direct voting, based on a simple majority vote. The deputies elected based on majority voting can either join a faction with the approval of that faction or form their own group themselves."

Document(s): Arm-cois2002-rep.pdf

10.2002 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Von besonderer Bedeutung für die Machtverhältnisse in den postsowjetischen Parlamenten sind die häufig wechselnden Abstimmungs- und Unterstützungsabsprachen zwischen den Parteien ("Analysen und Hintergründe ") [#10328],  [ID 2880]

"In Armenien besteht eine fast unüberschaubare Vielzahl politischer Parteien: auf eine Wohnbevölkerung, die höchsten drei, vermutlich aber nur zwei Millionen beträgt, kommen 103 beim Justizministerium (Stand: 30.09.2001) registrierte politische Parteien und Verbände (Stand Februar 2000). Nur etwa sieben Parteien sind als Parlamentsparteien tatsächlich an politischen Entscheidungen beteiligt. Von besonderer Bedeutung für die Machtverhältnisse in den postsowjetischen Parlamenten sind die häufig wechselnden Abstimmungs- und Unterstützungsabsprachen zwischen den Parteien, die sich in partei- und fraktionsübergreifenden Faktionen ausdrücken. Alle Parteien zeichnen sich dadurch aus, dass ihre Programmatik eine Nebenrolle spielt. Folglich finden keine Programm-, sondern Persönlichkeitswahlen statt. Die Parteienbildung erfolgt in aller Regel durch Abspaltungen nach Zerwürfnissen dominanter und aktiver Parteivertreter. So hat die nationaldemokratische, antikommunistische Partei Hajoz Hamasgajin Scharschum (Armenische Gesamtnationale Bewegung; HHSch), die 1989 aus der Karabachbewegung hervorging, mindestens acht Abspaltungen erlebt. Oder Parteien bilden sich als Elitegruppen um ein Finanzzentrum. Problematisch ist, dass keine der in Armenien tätigen Parteien einen nennenswerten Bevölkerungsanteil vertritt oder sich auf breiten Rückhalt in der Bevölkerung stützen kann. Die Unterstützung einzelner Oppositionsparteien durch die Bevölkerung oder Medien entspringt keiner grundsätzlichen Unterstützung ihres jeweiligen Programms, sondern der temporären bzw. punktuellen Zustimmung zu ihrem regierungsfeindlichen Kurs oder Vorgehen. Keine der grösseren Oppositionsparteien hat es geschafft, eine breite Basis zu gewinnen oder ein überzeugendes Programm zu entwickeln. Kritik an der Regierungspolitik entzündet sich vor allem in Wirtschafts- und Sozialfragen und äussert sich bei öffentlichen Zusammenkünften sowie Demonstrationen. Lewon Nersisjan, der Direktor des "Andrej Sacharow"-Menschenrechtszentrums, fasst die menschenrechtliche Kritik am Versagen der politischen Opposition wie folgt zusammen: "Der politische Kampf hat sich in die Suche nach Wegen und Möglichkeiten umgewandelt, um sich den Herrschenden bei ihren persönlichen oder faktionellen Interessen anzuschliessen, die darin bestehen, auf Kosten der nationalen administrativen, finanziellen oder wirtschaftlichen Ressourcen die eigenen Ziele zu erreichen, nicht aber, um die Aussen- und Innenpolitik im Interesse des armenischen Volkes zu ändern.""

Document(s): Open document

31.05.1999 - Source:

Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Armenia: Political parties (after Elections 1999) ("Official web site of Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Armenia") [ID 2881]

"Title - Total number of candidates

"Free Hayk Mission" Party ("Azat Hayk Arakelutiun") 11
"Freedom" Party ("Azatutiun") 28
National-Democratic Union 76
"Nation State" Party ("Azgain Petutiun") 14
"Self-Determination Union +" (AIM+) 68
"Mission" Party ("Arakelutun") 47
"Dignified Future" Public-Political Organization ("Arzhanapativ Apaga") 40
"Right and Unity" Bloc ("Iravunk ev Miutiun") 97
"Union of Communist and Socialist Parties" Bloc 25
Democratic Party of Armenia 40
Youth Party of Armenia 15
Communist Party of Armenia 72
Liberal-Democratic Party (Ramkavar-Azatakan) 49
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutiun) 70
Armenian National Movement (Hayots Hamazgain Sharzhum) 49
"Motherland" Bloc ("Hayrenik") 42
"Powerful Motherland" Party ("Hzor Hayrenik") 45
"Unity" Bloc ("Miasnutiun") 145
"Shamiram" Party 11
Bloc of Socialist Forces and Intellectuals 47
"Country of Law" ("Orinats Yerkir") 31"

Document(s): Official web site of Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Armenia