RPA acknowledges lack of broad national movement

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s Republican Party (RPA) has published the resolution of its 18th congress, acknowledging that opposition forces, including itself, failed to form a broad national movement at a critical moment.

The document states that national opposition forces were unable to achieve the necessary political consolidation in time to counter the current authorities.

“We, the delegates of the 18th congress of the Republican Party of Armenia,

Reaffirm the goals, priorities, assessments, and guidelines set out in the message adopted by the party council on the occasion of the RPA’s 35th anniversary.

Paying tribute with gratitude to those who fell defending the homeland, we emphasize that their sacrifice obliges us to continue the sacred mission of protecting statehood, national security, and dignity.

We are convinced that the disastrous 44-day war of 2020 was not accidental, but the inevitable result of anti-state governance, underestimation of external threats, the promotion of a false ‘peace at any cost’ agenda, the consistent weakening of negotiating positions, and irresponsible policies at the highest level of the state.

We state that the doctrine of a ‘peace era’ promoted by those who seized power in Armenia not only failed to ensure security and stability but also led to the blockade of Artsakh, a humanitarian crisis, the September 2023 military aggression, ethnic cleansing, and the forced displacement of the Armenian population of Artsakh.

We reject the false thesis that the issue of Artsakh is closed and demand that Armenia’s foreign policy agenda include the right of Artsakh Armenians to a dignified and internationally guaranteed safe return, as well as continued efforts on missing persons and the urgent release and repatriation of Armenian detainees held in Baku.

We record that the policies of the current authorities have been accompanied by gross violations of the Constitution, legal and moral norms, subordination of state interests, and a consistent retreat from national values.

We admit that opposition national forces, including ourselves, failed at the necessary moment to form a broad nationwide movement and political consolidation against what we describe as anti-national governance, and this failure must be honestly assessed and conclusions drawn.

We believe that acknowledging one’s own mistakes is not a sign of weakness, but a prerequisite for building the future and restoring public trust.

We declare that our political goal is not power for its own sake, but the protection of Armenia’s sovereignty, statehood, national values, dignity, and the secure and prosperous future of its people.

We emphasize that the decision not to directly participate in the June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections is justified and stems not from narrow party interests, but from national priorities — to reduce societal division, consolidate healthy political forces, and contribute to victory. Abstaining from participation does not mean avoiding struggle.

We state that the legitimacy of elections is determined not only on voting day but also by the pre-election environment, and under current conditions — including political pressure, intolerance of dissent, misuse of administrative resources, unequal information conditions, and external interference — there are grounds to question the integrity of the process.

We reaffirm that a constitutional vote of no confidence in the prime minister remains on our agenda as a path to political change.

We present proposals to opposition forces participating in the elections to make the process of political change more effective and coordinated.

We are convinced that Armenia’s foreign policy must be fundamentally revised, based on sovereignty, mutual benefit, and clear differentiation of alliances and partnerships.

We consider it our duty to defend the rights of political prisoners, Armenian detainees in Baku, including the leadership of Artsakh, as well as displaced Armenians of Artsakh, and to advance the issue of missing persons.

After a change of power, our priorities will include restoring internal unity, ensuring accountability for harmful decisions, strengthening the armed forces, restoring negotiating positions, achieving dignified and secure peace, and ensuring democratic freedoms and Armenia’s development as a sovereign and secure state,” the resolution states.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled for June 7, 2026.