Armenian PM Pashinyan keeps cabinet line-up almost unchanged for new term
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has retained almost all members of his cabinet after beginning a new term in office following his ruling Civil Contract party’s victory in parliamentary elections, signalling policy continuity as the country faces a challenging regional environment.
Presidential decrees published on August 3 confirmed the appointment of all 12 ministers, with only one change to the cabinet. David Tadevosyan replaced Mkhitar Hayrapetyan as minister of high-tech industry, while the remaining ministers kept their portfolios. Deputy prime ministers Mher Grigoryan and Tigran Khachatryan were also reappointed.
The appointments came after President Vahagn Khachaturyan formally appointed Pashinyan as prime minister on August 2, following the inauguration of Armenia’s newly elected parliament.
The new government was formed after parliamentary elections held on June 7 and the first sitting of the ninth convocation of the National Assembly on August 2.
In a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Khachaturyan congratulated Pashinyan and acknowledged the difficult circumstances facing the country.
“I sincerely congratulate you, I wish you great patience, endurance, and determination to lead us in these difficult times, to lead the country to the future, a prosperous future,” the president said.
Pashinyan, who first came to power during Armenia’s 2018 Velvet Revolution, said the country’s recent history had presented challenges few could have anticipated.
“I must say honestly that in 2018, when I assumed the post of prime minister of the Republic of Armenia as a result of the people’s, non-violent, velvet revolution, it would have been difficult to predict that we would go down such a path and I think it would have been difficult to predict that we would be able to overcome this path,” he said.
“But we are where we are, and I think that the key role and significance in all this is unequivocally and undoubtedly the people of the Republic of Armenia.”
Pashinyan also called for a less confrontational political climate in parliament, saying he hoped the new legislature would focus on policy rather than personal disputes.
The new parliament on August 3 elected senior Civil Contract lawmaker Ruben Rubinyan as speaker with 63 votes in favour and 28 against. Rubinyan had previously served as deputy speaker and is Armenia’s special envoy for negotiations with Turkey aimed at normalising bilateral relations.
Ahead of the vote, the opposition Armenia alliance declined to participate in the election of the speaker, while the Strong Armenia faction voted against the ruling party’s nominee.
The largely unchanged cabinet suggests Pashinyan intends to maintain continuity in government after securing another parliamentary majority.
Among those retaining their posts are Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Defence Minister Suren Papikyan, Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan and Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan.
Later on Monday, Pashinyan also introduced former ambassador to the United States Lilit Makunts as the new head of the Prime Minister’s Office, replacing Arayik Harutyunyan.
Pashinyan said Makunts, who has previously served as culture minister, parliamentary faction leader, ambassador to Washington and chief adviser to the prime minister, would make “a very significant and visible contribution to the further development of the Republic of Armenia”.
