Newly elected Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan announced plans to meet with other city council factions to discuss potential joint programs, which will be implemented upon reaching consensus.

When asked by a journalist whether he might run for prime minister in 2026, Ghukasyan replied: “If many people—those not elected by the people—invite me and say, ‘Yes, we think you should take on this responsibility,’ and stand by me, then yes,” according to Pastinfo.

Ghukasyan confirmed that he also intends to invite the Civil Contract party to join the discussions. “If they don’t come, we’ll carry on with our work. But I think Civil Contract should attend the sessions because the city belongs to all of us. Whatever they do won’t be against Vardan Ghukasyan—it’ll be against the residents of the city,” he said.

Asked if he had thanked Martun Grigoryan for enabling his election, Ghukasyan responded that they share a neighborly understanding and have no hostile relations.

To a follow-up question on whether he would seek Grigoryan’s input on every decision, Ghukasyan responded: “I don’t go knocking on anyone’s door. I will live like all opposition mayors. The only door I knock on is the Saint’s. Harmony is my weapon,” he said.

He added that if decisions are driven by city interests rather than political agendas, then those involved will participate constructively.

“For example, we’ll propose raising salaries and find ways to make it happen. I know the principles and where to boost the budget,” he said.

Vardan Ghukasyan, who previously led Gyumri from 1999 to 2012, was re-elected as the city’s mayor on April 16. All 18 members of the opposition city council backed his candidacy unanimously. The ‘Mother Armenia’, ‘Our City’, and ‘My Strong Community’ factions chose not to nominate their own candidates and expressed readiness to support the opposition bloc with the most votes, emphasizing the need to remove the Civil Contract faction from power.