Armenia admits it cannot be in both the EU and Russia’s Eurasian Union

The politics behind Pashinyan’s public outbursts

With Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary election fast approaching, political commentator Eric Hacopian joins the CivilNet podcast to assess a race that looks markedly different from previous campaigns. The contest is being shaped by unprecedented levels of spending from frontrunners, while smaller parties compete for visibility through social media. Against the backdrop of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s campaign trail outbursts and an increasingly heated political atmosphere, the discussion turns to whether voters are truly limited to choices between the current leadership and the old political establishment. Hacopian argues that viable alternatives do exist if voters know where to look.0:00- May 18 masked men video 1:33- Pashinyan's multiple confrontations on the campaign trail 5:12- Why has civil society been silent? 7:56- Changing styles of campaigning 10:17- What is polling telling us? 15:17- Are there viable alternatives to the main contenders? 18:43- The issue of thresholds 20:42- Half the parties don't have public platforms 21:43- What figures might be shaping politics a decade from now? #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

Armenia admits it cannot be in both the EU and Russia’s Eurasian Union

📍 According to Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Turkey, Baku is urging the Turkish government to hold off on opening Turkey's border with Armenia. Armenia has previously accused Baku of hindering Yerevan’s normalization with Ankara.📍 Armenia’s foreign minister acknowledged that Yerevan cannot be a member of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union at the same time, responding to Moscow’s persistent remarks on the issue.📍 The International Commission of Jurists published a report highlighting systemic problems in Azerbaijan’s justice system, with particular focus on the trials of Armenians in Baku.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

Armed men issue threats against Pashinyan as campaign tensions escalate

📍 A video showing armed masked men threatening Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has triggered a criminal investigation and intensified political tensions. 📍 A man from Artashat, who had been in police custody for allegedly taking down an election poster, died by apparent suicide in a psychiatric ward. 📍 Pashinyan has proposed a controversial easing for Armenia’s drivers who lost their licenses under the country’s penalty system. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

U.S. firm begins site surveys for ‘Trump route’ in Armenia: THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS

📍 YouTube has launched monetization in Armenia, High-Tech Industry Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan announced.📍 U.S. infrastructure consulting firm Aecom started site surveys for a major new transit route planned in Armenia, Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan announced.📍 Turkey eased decades-old restrictions on trade with Armenia, amid continuing efforts to reopen the two countries’ long-shuttered border.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness

How political distraction became campaign strategy

With less than a month until Armenia’s parliamentary election, the campaign has entered a volatile phase marked by escalating political rhetoric. On Insights, host Eric Hacopian identifies potential violations of campaign spending limits by the leading parties, and examines how the current government’s strategy may be to encourage voter disengagement. The episode also highlights Ruben Vardanyan’s message from prison to the Armenian government, questioning why the state is failing to fulfill its responsibility toward the hostages held in Azerbaijan. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian