Gayane Abrahamyan is a prominent figure in Armenian civil society — a journalist, former Deputy of the National Assembly of Armenia, and founder of the NGO For Equal Rights. Throughout her career, she has remained steadfastly committed to advancing democracy and equality in her country. Among the causes closest to her heart is the fight against domestic violence in Armenia, and her organisation For Equal Rights works to educate civil society — particularly young people — and to provide them with a platform through which they can make their voices heard.
Gayane Abrahamyan
Which topics are most important to Armenian voters in the upcoming elections?
I would say that these elections are existential. The Armenian electorate is currently facing an existential crisis, with national security, peace and sovereignty being the primary concerns. Various polls have shown that these security issues are the most important topics for voters.
Due to the geopolitical developments in the region, voters are no longer just choosing a political party; they are deciding on the country’s sovereignty. For 30 years, Armenians have had a false sense of security that Russia is Armenia’s saviour and supporter. However, during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2023, Russia did nothing, and Armenian society has realised that we cannot rely on it anymore.
Another issue is that people are being misled about economic stability. The Armenian economy is largely dependent on Russia, particularly in terms of strategically important areas such as energy, security and infrastructure. Pro-Russian and non-democratic parties are telling people that if Armenia chooses a democratic path, we may face a serious economic crisis. Fear is used for manipulation. It is exploited by pro-Russian oligarchs who have businesses in Moscow — they claim that if Armenia moves towards the West, it would cause a war.
How could the outcome of the elections affect Armenian foreign policy?
If the pro-democracy, pro-sovereignty and pro-Europe political forces prevail, Armenia will likely accelerate its diversification strategy and continue its peace agenda. This would involve seeking closer ties with the European Union and the United States, as well as building new security and economic partnerships. If the other camp wins, then civil society, rule of law and democratic institutions would be in danger.
Before their legislative elections, Moldova and Georgia faced a spread of disinformation. Is this also the case in Armenia?
Of course, there are many similarities with Georgia and Moldova. The techniques and narratives are very similar — “if you’re with the West, there will be a war”. If Armenia sides with the West, we will become another Ukraine, the disinformation narratives claim.
The result of these elections will be also crucial for Armenian civil society. How is it preparing for the elections?
The main focus of civil society is to combat manipulation. We monitor, fact-check and communicate with citizens. Armenians are polarised, so it is crucial for civil society to establish a dialogue with the state. Another important project is educating voters. We are working with young people, as well as those aged 50 and over, because they are often the main targets of disinformation, especially for the pro-Russian camp.
Speaking about young people, how interested are young Armenians in politics?
Young voters are the most important part for our organisation. We are trying to make them interested in politics. Young Armenians aren’t afraid of authoritarianism. They don’t remember the time before the Velvet Revolution. They can sometimes take freedom of speech for granted. So, this is another challenge — we have to explain that without democracy, we may lose our freedoms.