One Armenia Party

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One Armenia Party
Մեկ Հայաստան կուսակցություն
ChairmanArthur Ghazinyan
FoundedFebruary 2019[1]
HeadquartersYerevan
IdeologyProgressivism[2]
Political positionCentre[3]
National affiliationHomeland Salvation Movement (2020-2021)
Armenia Alliance (2021-2022)
National Assembly[4]
0 / 107
Website
1armenia.am

One Armenia Party (Armenian: Մեկ Հայաստան կուսակցություն, romanizedMek Hayastan kusakts’ut’yun) is a centrist political party in Armenia. It was founded on 19 February 2019 by Arthur Ghazinian.[1]

History[edit]

The founding congress of the One Armenia Party was held on 19 February 2019, in Yerevan.[2] Arthur Ghazinian, who also heads Yerevan State University's Center of European Studies, was elected by a majority of party members as chairman.[5]

The party released its charter and manifesto as well as completed its registration with the Ministry of Justice. At a briefing with reporters, Artur Ghazinyan stated that this new party is a centrist political force and will help avoid a possible collision of opposite political poles in Armenia.[1]

The party has been a critic of Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, with Ghazinian stating that the Prime Minister has already lost his legitimacy, has fully exhausted himself and will soon lose power.[6][7] The party has also criticized Pashinyan's government of poorly handling foreign affairs and the on-going Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[8]

The party confirmed that it would nominate a single candidate to participate in the 2021 Armenian parliamentary election as part of the Armenia Alliance.[9] Following the election, the Armenia Alliance gained 21% of the popular vote and won 29 seats in the National Assembly, with the One Armenia Party winning one of those seats.

On 4 July 2022, Arthur Ghazinian announced that he was renouncing his seat, leaving the party without any representation in the National Assembly.[10] The party currently acts as an extra-parliamentary force.

Ideology[edit]

The party believes in developing Armenia's civil society, strengthening democracy and creating a powerful sovereign state with a strong national identity and institutions.[1][11] The party has also voiced strong opposition to ideological polarization, populism, radicalism and extremism. Instead, the party encourages ideological restraint and establishing a collaborative and consensual political culture in Armenia.[2]

In terms of foreign policy, the party supports a balanced relationship with both Russia and the European Union.[citation needed] The party also supports international recognition of Artsakh as well as protecting Armenia's cultural heritage and the values of the Armenian Apostolic Church.[3]

Activities[edit]

In June 2019, party members met with the President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian. Party leader Ghazinian presented the ideology of the political party and directions of its activities.[12]

On 9 November 2020, the party signed a joint declaration with the other member parties of the Homeland Salvation Movement calling on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign during the 2020–2021 Armenian protests.[13]

Electoral record[edit]

Parliamentary elections[edit]

Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Position Government
2021[a] Arthur Ghazinyan 269,481 21.11
1 / 107
Increase 1 Increase 2nd Opposition
  1. ^ Run within Armenia Alliance

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "One Armenia party convenes founding congress". news.am. 7 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "'Centrist' politicians announce launch of new political party in Armenia". www.tert.am.
  3. ^ a b ""Մեկ Հայաստան". նոր կուսակցություն է ձևավորվում". yerevan.today.
  4. ^ "National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia | Official Web Site | parliament.am". parliament.am.
  5. ^ ""Մեկ Հայաստան" կուսակցության նախագահ ընտրվեց Արթուր Ղազինյանը". A1Plus. 7 June 2023.
  6. ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Extension of state of emergency has nothing to do with coronavirus pandemic: advocate - aysor.am - Hot news from Armenia". www.aysor.am.
  7. ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Արթուր Ղազինյան. Հայաստանը չի կառավարվում". www.panorama.am.
  8. ^ "Armenian political party leader: Upcoming Putin-Erdogan meeting is becoming dangerous". news.am. 7 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Arthur Ghazinyan. The movement had a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold. We were able to reach the minimum threshold".
  10. ^ "Armenian opposition MP Artur Ghazinyan resigns".
  11. ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Armenia may assume chief role in the theatre of political absurd: One Armenia party chairperson - aysor.am - Hot news from Armenia". www.aysor.am.
  12. ^ "President Armen Sarkissian received representatives of the One Armenia Party - Press releases - Updates - The President of the Republic of Armenia". www.president.am.
  13. ^ "Arminfo: 17 քաղաքական կուսակցություններ պահանջում են Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի և նրա թիմի հրաժարականը". arminfo.info.

External links[edit]