The alliance was founded on 4 May 2020 by 16 political leaders from the dissatisfaction of the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia by the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan.[3][4] The alliance then shifted its focus onto the shortcomings of the Government of Armenia during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. The alliance is critical of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement which followed and actively called for the resignation of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister. The alliance proposed for itself to assume interim power for a period of one year, which would then be followed by elections.[3][5]
Thousands[citation needed] of National Democratic Pole supporters marching in central Yerevan, 20 March 2021.
The alliance believes Armenia's alignment with the European Union, NATO, and the United States, is necessary as a result of public frustration with Russia's treatment of Armenia during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. A rally was held on 20 March 2021 and the crowds, along with the Armenian flag, also waved the EU, French, and US flags. Supporters also chanted that, “From now on, the winds will blow from the West, not from the North.”[10]
The alliance maintains several administrative offices throughout Armenia, as well as, an overseas office in Los Angeles.[11]
On 10 May 2021, Tigran Khzmalyan announced that the European Party of Armenia is leaving the National Democratic Pole alliance, and that the party would participate in the 2021 Armenian parliamentary elections independently.
On 18 May 2021, the National Democratic Pole confirmed that they would participate in the 2021 Armenian parliamentary elections, with Vahe Gasparyan leading the alliance. Following the election, the alliance won 1.49% of the popular vote, failing to win any seats in the National Assembly.
Members protesting against Russian and Turkish interference, outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office, Yerevan.
The alliance supports the creation of a new constitution, improving the defense and security of Armenia, reforming the criminal justice system, encouraging the large-scale repatriation of the Armenian Diaspora to Armenia, and upholding the sovereignty of the Republic of Artsakh.[3][13]
In terms of foreign policy, both the Sasna Tsrer Pan-Armenian Party and the European Party of Armenia, are considerably Pro-Western and Pro-European. The alliance calls for a truly independent Armenia and rejects both Turkish and Russian influence in Armenia and Artsakh.[14][15] Both parties oppose Armenia's current membership in the Eurasian Union, while the European Party of Armenia actively calls for Armenia to begin first steps of accession negotiations to the European Union.
Activities
The alliance takes part in daily street protests in central Yerevan and has organized several other protests throughout Armenia. Several supporters of the alliance have been arrested for participating in unauthorized protests.[16] The alliance itself has been charged by local police for holding rallies in violation of the law.[17]
On 11 August 2020, the alliance released a statement condemning Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus. The alliance accused him of using violence and persecution against the people after the presidential election and during the 2020 Belarusian protests.[20] The alliance wished the people of Belarus freedom and democracy.[21]
On 26 February 2021, Tigran Khzmalyan stated that Armenia must remain democratic and to be cautious of Russian interference in Armenia's domestic affairs, during a protest.[22]
Members rallying for greater cooperation between the EU, France, and Armenia in front of the French Embassy, Yerevan.
On 5 March 2021, Ara Papian called for strengthening bilateral relations with the United States and proclaimed that Armenia should increase its cooperation with NATO, during a rally in Yerevan.[23]
On 15 March 2021, the alliance marched in front of the French embassy in Yerevan. Participants called for developing a strategic partnership and greater military cooperation between Armenia and France.[24]
On 23 March 2021, members of the alliance delivered a letter to the Embassy of Iran in Yerevan. The letter requested assistance from Iran to provide an alternative guarantee to the energy security of Armenia, in order to counterbalance Armenia's overdependence on Russia for its energy needs.[25]
On 25 March 2021, members of the alliance met with the President of Armenia, Armen Sarksyan, to discuss the on-going domestic crisis in Armenia, including ways to overcome internal and external challenges.
On 21 February 2023, a conference of democratic forces including opposition political parties and civil society took place in Yerevan. Delegates from the National Democratic Pole, European Party of Armenia, Hanrapetutyun Party, Union for National Self-Determination, and over a dozen representatives from Armenian civil society organizations participated. Members of the conference called on the Government of Armenia to announce its withdrawal from the CSTO and Eurasian Union and to realign Armenia's military integration with the United States and the West. In addition, the participants signed a declaration calling on the government to immediately submit an EU membership bid for Armenia.[27]
