In any functioning democracy, opposition is vital — a force that challenges authority, speaks truth to power, and fights for justice.
But in today’s Armenia, we must ask:
Do we actually have an opposition? Or just a performance crew on the same stage as the ruling party?
Who Are the So-Called Opposition Forces?
In parliament, opposition is officially represented by “Hayastan” and “I Have Honor” .
But let’s look at the facts:
• They have not left the parliament, despite calling the government illegitimate.
• They enjoy salaries, security, and state perks as MPs.
• They rarely take to the streets, and when they do, it’s short-lived.
• Their agenda is reactive, not strategic.
So we must ask:
Are they here for the people — or to protect their mandates, reputations, and property?
Why Are They No Longer a Threat to the Regime?
1. Post-2021 elections, the opposition accepted the system and chose institutional safety over confrontation.
2. Weakness normalized:
Their passivity is now expected. The ruling party even uses it to show how “democratic” the system is.
3. No clear vision:
No bold agenda. No new faces. No youth base. Only echoes of their past glories.
4. Convenient for Pashinyan:
This “soft” opposition legitimizes his rule without posing real resistance.
A Mandate or Political Insurance?
For many opposition MPs — especially those from the pre-2018 ruling elite — the mandate is a safety net.
It protects from investigations, from business threats, and from irrelevance.
As long as they remain inside the system — and don’t cross the red lines of real dissent — they survive.
The Politics of Silence
• No public outrage after loss of territory
• No serious impeachment attempts
• No international campaign for Artsakh
• No contact with grassroots movements
Just silence.
A silence useful for both sides.
Consequences
• People lose faith in political alternatives
• The system leans closer to authoritarianism
• Society becomes politically depressed
• Some move toward radicalism outside the political process
Conclusion
An opposition that only exists to not disturb power — is not opposition.
It’s a scripted role in a drama, where everyone wins — except the people.
Armenians don’t need silent MPs playing opposition on paper.
They need courageous leaders who risk — not preserve — their comfort.
By Lida Nalbandyan, Founder and CEO of Octopus Media Group