Pashinyan seeks to improve his rating: People react to government shake-up in Armenia
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is attempting to improve his reputation ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections through the dismissal of top government officials, a respondent told Panorama.am on Tuesday.
Armenia’s Interior Minister Vahe Ghazaryan, Investigation Committee Chairman Argishti Kyaramyan, Chairman of the State Revenue Committee Rustam Badasyan and Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan submitted resignation at Pashinyan’s behest on Monday.
“The dismissals are not personal, but systemic,” Pashinyan wrote on Facebook, thanking the officials for their understanding and cooperation.
People surveyed by Panorama.am in Yerevan believe the government shake-up is unlikely to result in any significant changes.
“Pashinyan is causing a pre-election boom in an attempt to improve his approval ratings,” a man said. “It's absolutely clear that he has failed it all. Telling lies to the people won’t help resolve the problems.”
“Deep reforms are necessary,” another remarked.
A third respondent stressed the need for replacement of more government officials.
Another called the dismissals “senseless actions” aimed at attracting the people’s attention.