Government and Politics of Armenia

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan

Legal System

based on civil law system

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Armenia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Vahagn KHACHATURYAN (since 13 March 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN (since 8 May 2018, reconfirmed following subsequent elections) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a seven-year term (eligible for a single term); election last held on 2 March 2022 (next to be held in 2029); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary majority and appointed by the president following National Assembly elections election results: Vahagn KHACHATURYAN elected president by the National Assembly; Nikol PASHINYAN's Civil Contract party won a majority in the June 2021 parliamentary elections, securing his continued tenure as prime minister

Legislative Branch

Unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (105 seats; members elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms; a party must receive at least 5% of the vote to enter parliament, while blocs require at least 7%). Elections: Last held on June 20, 2021 (next to be held in 2026). Election results: Percent of vote by party — Civil Contract Party 53.9%, Armenia Alliance 21.0%, I Have Honour Alliance 5.2%; seats by party — Civil Contract Party 71, Armenia Alliance 29, I Have Honour Alliance 7 (two additional seats were allocated under minority representation provisions, bringing the total to 107 seats with gender and minority quotas applied). The Civil Contract Party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, secured a commanding majority, continuing its dominance following the snap elections called in the aftermath of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. The two opposition blocs — Armenia Alliance, led by former President Robert Kocharyan, and I Have Honour Alliance, associated with former President Serzh Sargsyan — represent the principal opposition forces. Under constitutional reforms adopted by referendum in 2015 and enacted progressively through 2018, Armenia transitioned from a semi-presidential to a fully parliamentary system of government, substantially increasing the role and authority of the National Assembly in shaping governance.

Judicial Branch

Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)

Political Parties

Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALYAN]; Armenia Party [Myasnik MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [Harutyun MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation (“Dashnak” Party) or ARF [Levon MKRTCHYAN]; Democratic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, the People's Party, and the Republic Party) [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Revival Party [Albert BAZEYAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGHAMYAN, chairman]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Aram SARKISYAN, chairman]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARGARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Samvel BALASANYAN]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENYAN]

Head of State

President Vahagn KHACHATURYAN

Head of Government

Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN (since 8 May 2018, reconfirmed following subsequent elections)

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

Elections

Last held on June 20, 2021 (next to be held in 2026).

Election Results

Percent of vote by party — Civil Contract Party 53.9%, Armenia Alliance 21.0%, I Have Honour Alliance 5.2%; seats by party — Civil Contract Party 71, Armenia Alliance 29, I Have Honour Alliance 7 (two additional seats were allocated under minority representation provisions, bringing the total to 107 seats with gender and minority quotas applied). The Civil Contract Party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, secured a commanding majority, continuing its dominance following the snap elections called in the aftermath of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. The two opposition blocs — Armenia Alliance, led by former President Robert Kocharyan, and I Have Honour Alliance, associated with former President Serzh Sargsyan — represent the principal opposition forces. Under constitutional reforms adopted by referendum in 2015 and enacted progressively through 2018, Armenia transitioned from a semi-presidential to a fully parliamentary system of government, substantially increasing the role and authority of the National Assembly in shaping governance.

Constitution

adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995

Independence

21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1991)

International Organization Participation

BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador John M. EVANS embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 375082 mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 telephone: [374](10) 464-700 FAX: [374](10) 464-742

Capital City

Yerevan

Location

40 10 N, 44 30 E

Time Difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

History

name likely derives from the ancient Urartian fortress of Erebuni established on the current site of Yerevan in 782 B.C. and whose impressive ruins still survive

U.S. Embassy Yerevan 1 American Avenue Embassy switchboard: 374 10 46 47 00 Emergency after-hours telephone: 374 10 49 44 44 Facsimile: 374 46 47 37

Military Branches

Armenian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Force, and Air Defense; "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic": Nagorno-Karabakh Self-Defense Force (NKSDF)

Service Age and Obligation

18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation; 17-year-olds are eligible to become cadets at military higher education institutes, where they are classified as military personnel