Armenian political party
One Armenia Party (Armenian: Մեկ Հայաստան կուսակցություն, romanized: Mek Hayastan kusakts’ut’yun) is a centrist political party in Armenia. It was founded on 19 February 2019 by Arthur Ghazinian.[1]
History
The founding congress of the One Armenia Party was held on 19 February 2019, in Yerevan.[2] Arthur Ghazinian, who also heads Yerevan State University's Center of European Studies, was elected by a majority of party members as chairman.[5]
The party released its charter and manifesto as well as completed its registration with the Ministry of Justice. At a briefing with reporters, Artur Ghazinyan stated that this new party is a centrist political force and will help avoid a possible collision of opposite political poles in Armenia.[1]
The party has been a critic of Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, with Ghazinian stating that the Prime Minister has already lost his legitimacy, has fully exhausted himself and will soon lose power.[6][7] The party has also criticized Pashinyan's government of poorly handling foreign affairs and the on-going Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[8]
The party confirmed that it would nominate a single candidate to participate in the 2021 Armenian parliamentary election as part of the Armenia Alliance.[9] Following the election, the Armenia Alliance gained 21% of the popular vote and won 29 seats in the National Assembly, with the One Armenia Party winning one of those seats.
On 4 July 2022, Arthur Ghazinian announced that he was renouncing his seat, leaving the party without any representation in the National Assembly.[10] The party currently acts as an extra-parliamentary force.
Ideology
The party believes in developing Armenia's civil society, strengthening democracy and creating a powerful sovereign state with a strong national identity and institutions.[1][11] The party has also voiced strong opposition to ideological polarization, populism, radicalism and extremism. Instead, the party encourages ideological restraint and establishing a collaborative and consensual political culture in Armenia.[2]
In terms of foreign policy, the party supports a balanced relationship with both Russia and the European Union.[citation needed] The party also supports international recognition of Artsakh as well as protecting Armenia's cultural heritage and the values of the Armenian Apostolic Church.[3]
Activities
In June 2019, party members met with the President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian. Party leader Ghazinian presented the ideology of the political party and directions of its activities.[12]
On 9 November 2020, the party signed a joint declaration with the other member parties of the Homeland Salvation Movement calling on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign during the 2020–2021 Armenian protests.[13]
