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]
One Armenia Party Մեկ Հայաստան կուսակցություն | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairman | Arthur Ghazinyan |
| Founded | February 2019[1] |
| Headquarters | Yerevan |
| Ideology | Progressivism[2] |
| Political position | Centre[3] |
| National affiliation | Homeland Salvation Movement (2020-2021) Armenia Alliance (2021-2022) |
| National Assembly[4] | 0 / 107
|
| Website | |
| 1armenia.am | |
History
editThe 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
editThe 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
editIn 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]
Electoral record
editParliamentary elections
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021[a] | Arthur Ghazinyan | 269,481 | 21.11 | 1 / 107
|
Opposition |
- ^ Run within Armenia Alliance
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "One Armenia party convenes founding congress". news.am. 7 June 2023.
- ^ a b c "'Centrist' politicians announce launch of new political party in Armenia". www.tert.am.
- ^ a b ""Մեկ Հայաստան". նոր կուսակցություն է ձևավորվում". yerevan.today.
- ^ "National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia | Official Web Site | parliament.am". parliament.am.
- ^ ""Մեկ Հայաստան" կուսակցության նախագահ ընտրվեց Արթուր Ղազինյանը". A1Plus. 7 June 2023.
- ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Extension of state of emergency has nothing to do with coronavirus pandemic: advocate - aysor.am - Hot news from Armenia". www.aysor.am.
- ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Արթուր Ղազինյան. Հայաստանը չի կառավարվում". www.panorama.am.
- ^ "Armenian political party leader: Upcoming Putin-Erdogan meeting is becoming dangerous". news.am. 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Arthur Ghazinyan. The movement had a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold. We were able to reach the minimum threshold".
- ^ "Armenian opposition MP Artur Ghazinyan resigns".
- ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Armenia may assume chief role in the theatre of political absurd: One Armenia party chairperson - aysor.am - Hot news from Armenia". www.aysor.am.
- ^ "President Armen Sarkissian received representatives of the One Armenia Party - Press releases - Updates - The President of the Republic of Armenia". www.president.am.
- ^ "Arminfo: 17 քաղաքական կուսակցություններ պահանջում են Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի և նրա թիմի հրաժարականը". arminfo.info.