The Shameful Reality of the Armenian Parliament
BY RAFFY ARDHALDJIAN
As a dual citizen, I have been turned off for a while now by the demeaning level of parliamentary debates. But after every low, there seems to be a newer low, and it’s unbearable to watch and say nothing.
When majority Members of Parliament charge at an opposition member, forcing women colleagues to form a human shield for his protection, our democracy is in crisis.
How can lawmakers who write our laws threaten violence in parliament itself?
How can a majority party publicly insult former presidents of our republic when due process has not found them guilty of crimes?
And alternatively, how can parliamentarians use “Turk” as an insult against fellow Armenians? This practice mirrors ultranationalist Turks who use “Armenian” as a slur. Such rhetoric doesn’t just demean a political opponent, but weaponizes national trauma and historical pain for political gain.
How can the Armenian political mind be consumed with this nonsense when our borders are threatened? When our nation remains in crisis?
This isn’t entertainment. It’s a national disgrace. It’s also not a way to score points with citizens, as every such episode pushes voters away from getting involved.
When physical intimidation replaces debate, when historical wounds become weapons, when women must use their bodies as barriers against violence—we betray our ancient civilization that was passed to us.
What message are we sending to young Armenians watching these disgraceful scenes? We’re teaching them that politics is about force, not ideas; about personal attacks, not policy solutions. Every parliamentary brawl tells our youth that their future lies elsewhere—not in building a stronger Armenia.
Challenge policies, not personhood. I’ve argued numerous times that evolving the ethos of Armenian political culture is paramount—moving from adversarial positioning to one that builds on common national consensus and encourages substantive dialogue. This doesn’t require universal agreement, but rather the cultivation of meaningful discourse beyond the limiting paradigm of “us versus them.”
While real threats gather at our borders. While we continue to lack agency and sovereignty. While game-changing geopolitical transformations are happening around us. And all we are capable of doing is schoolyard scuffles in parliament.
How sad. How unworthy of our martyrs. Is this the best that modern Armenian polity can elect in the 21st century?
Raffy Ardhaldjian is a graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
